KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — The suicide rate among urbanites in Malaysia has been increasing, the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) said, with a survey showing that almost one-third of adults suffer mental health problems.
In a report published by English-language daily New Straits Times (NST), the association’s deputy president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said mental illnesses like depression were on an increase here and the worst affected was the urban crowd plagued by multiple problems.
“Urban dwellers, especially urban poor, are prone to mental health problems. The sense of hopelessness from economic hardship and financial distress, stress related to school performance and exams, as well as stress after a break-up of a relationship, are the main causes of suicides.
“In the case of teenagers, the suicidal tendency is driven by pressure to succeed academically,” he was quoted as saying.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2015 showed that mental health problems among adults showed an upward trend from 10.7 per cent in 1996 to 29.2 per cent in 2015, the local newspaper reported.
Dr Andrew added that among the reasons for the problem is the lack of awareness on mental health in the country, coupled with the shortage of mental health experts.
“The shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists in the country means the existing mental health professionals are heavily burdened,” he said.
The doctor also claimed that there was still stigma surrounding mental health treatment.
“The five year National Suicide Prevention Strategic Action Plan that commenced in 2012 by the government aims to shift mental health treatment from hospitals to community mental health centres to increase the availability to the public and reduce stigmatisation.
“It is to reintegrate the patients into the community. Having a strong supportive environment with family and friends around the patients can help them move on from mental health problems,” NST quoted Dr Andrew.
