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SANDAKAN: The 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey shows the prevalence of depression among adults in Malaysia is 2.3 per cent. 

Sandakan Member of Parliament, Vivian Wong Shir Yee, said this figure had increased to 4.6 per cent, according to data from the two most recent National Health and Morbidity Surveys in 2023. 

“What is worrying is that latest report also shows the prevalence of children and teenagers aged five to 15 years experiencing mental health problems had increased from 7.9 per cent in 2019 to 16.5 per cent in 2023,” she said.

Vivian said the burden of disease faced as a result of mental illness can indeed impact not only the individual but also have a significant effect on family members, the economy, and the development of the country if someone is sick and cannot continue to study or work.

“Therefore, mental health needs to be promoted to prevent the risk of mental illness, and society needs to be given awareness and knowledge to cultivate a healthy mind and maintain mental health,” she said.

While the 2022 National Health and Morbidity survey also shows that one in eight teenagers have thought about suicide and one in 10 teenagers have attempted suicide.

“Aware of this fact, the government has undertaken efforts to curb mental health issues and increase community awareness about mental health,” Vivian said.

In 2023, the national assembly passed the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023, which empowers crisis intervention officers to save someone who is attempting suicide. 

This Bill is expected to help those in crisis to get help immediately and facilitate access to treatment and psychological support for the community.

She said this while officiating the new Elopura Mentari, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Duchess of Kent (HDOK) Sandakan at Ren Ai Counselling Association along Jalan Bukit.

Also present, Senior Consultant Psychiatry (Community and Rehabilitation) and Head of Psychiatry at the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Dr Nor Hayati Ali, Director of Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang, Addiction Specialist (Grade Jusa C), and Head of Sabah Psychiatry, Dr Mohammad Firdaus Abdul Aziz, Director of HDOK Sandakan, Dr. Mohd Fahmie Othman.

Family Physician Sandakan Health Clinic, Dr Suhashini A/P Sivasegaran who represents the Sandakan Area Health Officer, Head of the Psychiatry and Mental Health Department of HDOK Sandakan, Dr Cheang Yue Wen, Chairman Ren AI Counselling Association, Sandakan, James Lopez and Chairman HDOK Sandakan Psychiatry Visiting Board Member, Chan Boon Thian.

She praised the efforts of the Ministry of Health (MOH) through the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at HDOK, which carried out activities and helped clients of Mentari Elopura. 

Vivian said these clients also received support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Ren Ai Sandakan Counselling Association.

Among them are charity activities for the local community in the aspect of caring for mentally ill patients through the rehabilitation process as well as promoting awareness about mental health care.

Vivian also urged all parties to continue playing a role in the prevention of mental health problems and to assist in developing the emotional, social, and intellectual skills needed for individuals to live, study, and work effectively in the community.

Meanwhile, Nor Hayati said this is the third Mentari in Sabah and one of 33 nationwide. Mentari is taken from the word “menta” and derived from the word “Mental” while “ri” is from the word “psychiatry.

Mentari was established to meet the requirements of the Mental Health Act 2001 which emphasises the improvement of community-based services in improving the quality of community mental health.

It is an approach initiated by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) to increase outreach and reintegration of people with mental health problems into society.

Mentari’s mission is to pioneer community-based specialised mental health services across the country.

This includes giving them the opportunity to return to work in the community.

Mentari also facilitates access to early treatment, community integration, building resilience and supporting rehabilitation from mental illness.

In another development, Fahmie expressed his gratitude to the Ren Ai Counselling Association Sandakan for helping 27 Mentari Elopura clients by setting up their activity centre in the building.