The health ministry reported more than 122,000 calls from people – or 89.4% of callers – in psychological distress via its help hotlines in the first six months.
A total of 468 lives were lost to suicide between January and May, compared with 631 cases last year and 609 in 2019.
To find out more about perceptions of mental health in the country and what can be done to help those suffering during this difficult time, FMT spoke with three psychiatrists: Dr Bilbir Singh, Dr Anildev Singh Malhi, and Dr Semran Kaur Badeshea.
‘Lack of understanding’
Bilbir, consultant psychiatrist at KPJ Specialist Centre Ipoh, says the mentally ill in Malaysia have continually been marginalised, while not much has been invested in mental health services.
While there has been improvement in recent years, “it is still not enough”, says Bilbir, who is also the head of the psychiatry department at Quest International University in Perak.
“This could be due to the attitudes and perceptions of society at large – any individual who has a psychiatric record risks being ‘looked at differently’.
“They are stigmatised, and this very often comes from their own family members, friends or colleagues – people who have internalised stigma.”
Ipoh-based psychiatrist Anildev agrees, attributing the reason for Malaysia’s non-prioritsation of mental health “to a lack of understanding and education”, which in turn “leads to fear and inevitably results in discrimination”.
“There is a belief that those with mental illness are unable to lead productive lives and contribute to society,” he says.
“The individual is afraid of the consequences of getting help; of being shunned by family and friends, having fewer opportunities at work and even losing employment, as well as potential bullying and harassment.”
Their assessment is backed by Semran, a clinical psychiatrist currently based in Australia, who says the stigma attached to mental health is “too great”, especially in regional and rural areas.
“People are afraid to be labelled with a mental health diagnosis as they associate it with ‘being crazy’ and ‘weak’.
“A lack of insurance coverage for mental illness in Malaysia also discourages people from seeking help, as seeing a private psychiatrist is too costly and medications are unaffordable for most.”
‘Occult and evil forces’
Despite greater accessibility to information through the internet and the media, many people are still misinformed about mental health.
“It’s shocking that many people blame the individual for their predicament. In fact, a lot of people do not believe in such issues at all,” Bilbir says.
She adds that some go so far as to think psychological conditions are caused by the occult and evil forces.
Semran, on the other hand, believes that education on mental health should be inculcated from a young age.
“It should be part of our education syllabus. There should be aggressive mental health promotion and an acceptance that ‘it’s okay not to be okay’.”
The lockdown effect
The ongoing movement control orders have played a big part in the grim statistics of the country this year.
“Many people have problems staying afloat due to job losses and unpaid loans,” Bilbir says. “Being confined within four walls is not something people are used to, and many individuals will start having negative thoughts.”
Anildev notes that Malaysians have been stuck at home for close to two years now, and concurs that the changes in social norms and financial worries could lead to effects both physical and emotional.
He suggests healthy methods of coping such as planning one’s finances, receiving news from reputable sources, keeping to a routine, exercising and eating right, and practising relaxation techniques.
While some might think only adults and the older generation are susceptible to poor mental health, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Semran explains that youths and children, too, have been isolated and had their worlds turned upside-down.
“This is the age for children to develop social skills, connect with peers and explore as part of their normal development. Instead they are left bored and confined,” she says.
“Most of them are spending their time on social media and online gaming, which has caused a whole set of problems such as addiction.”
Some youngsters spend eight to 10 hours a day before a screen. “Usually by the time parents are aware of the problem and start setting up boundaries, children become aggressive and emotionally dysregulated. They could self-harm, and some even threaten suicide.”
She says it is crucial for parents to acknowledge and recognise the signs of mental illness in their children, and to take steps to treat it.
Empathy is key
The doctors recommend checking in on friends and loved ones as a way of reminding them they are loved.
“A simple greeting can show that people care for them, which in turn could impact positively on their mental wellbeing,” says Anildev.
“Spending time with loved ones and providing a shoulder to cry on can also be invaluable, as well as keeping in contact and assisting them in getting professional help if necessary.”
For the elderly, Bilbir recommends getting them involved in fun activities like walking, yoga, and watching movies. It is also important to make them laugh.
Checking up on them is crucial, as circumstances such as chronic illness, retirement, death or loneliness can lead to depression, she adds.
At the end of the day, human beings are emotional creatures who rely on one another to get through tough situations. So, as Anildev says, “remember to always ‘kita jaga kita'”.
Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang will be hosting virtual forums on mental health featuring the three doctors. It kicks off with Dr Semran’s discussion on ‘Covid and child mental health’ this Sunday, Aug 22; followed by Dr Anildev on ‘Lockdown woes: how are you coping?’ on Aug 24, and Dr Bilbir on ‘Depression and the elderly’ on Aug 31.
For more information, visit Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang’s Facebook profile or WhatsApp 012-4300497.