THE
incident involving a man with bipolar disorder, who ran amok and damaged
statues of deities at a Hindu temple in Ipoh, Perak, once again highlights the
seriousness of the issue of mental illness.
People
with mental illness need better care and more attention.
The
incident led to religious disharmony, and the inspector-general of police had
to call on Hindus to remain calm.
Such
incidents, which occur from time to time, have brought to light the
deteriorating state of Malaysians’ mental health, which is an issue that needs
to be urgently addressed.
Those
with mental health problems must seek consultation and treatment. They must not
shy away from being treated, in the fear that they would be stigmatised,
isolated or ostracised.
Psychiatric
patients, with the help of family members, must follow through on the
prescribed course of treatment.
Any
member of the family who has mental illness must be encouraged to seek
treatment. It is equally important for us to not have a skewed perception of
those who are mentally ill.
On the
contrary, this group must be helped and treated. Amok and suicide cases
involving the mentally ill serve as a tragic reminder of another side of life
that is less talked about, but nevertheless, is very real. It is a part of
reality that must not be overlooked in our quest to become an industrialised
and developed nation.
According
to the World Health Organisation, depression is ranked fifth among the major
causes of disability today. It is expected to jump to second place in 2020.
No
country or person is immune to mental illness, and the impact — in
psychological, social and economic terms — is high. It is, therefore, essential
to mount a comprehensive nationwide campaign to educate all strata of society
on ways to acquire the right knowledge to lead a lifestyle that practises good
mental health.
The
promotion of mental health involves the government, community and family unit.
The government should provide more community-based mental health services.
One such
way would be to increase the number of psychiatric units in hospitals. It
should also look into training more psychiatrists and psychologists.
Non-governmental organisations, on the other hand, should be provided with
annual grants to do more in promoting mental health.
Creating
greater awareness on mental health, and empowering the mentally ill and their
family members to stand up against stigma and discrimination through education
and public engagement, aimed at understanding mental illness and encouraging
involvement in mental health efforts, are some strategies that we can undertake
to de-stigmatise mental illness.
Tan Sri
Lee Lam Thye, member, Mental Health Promotion Advisory Council
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