Breaking the stigma: Mental health key to well-being, says Fatimah

BINTULU (Oct 10): Mental health is an integral part of our overall well-being, yet it is often overshadowed by stigma and misunderstanding.

Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said mental health encompasses emotional, psychological and social well-being, and it affects how people think, feel and act.

“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realises their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community,” she said when officiating the Bintulu Division World Mental Health Day and National Counselling Month celebration at Auditorium BDA, Wisma Bintulu today.

Fatimah said mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood, and that it is the foundation for thinking, learning, communication, resilience and self-esteem.

Adding on, she said mental illnesses, also known as mental disorders, can affect any person and that having poor mental health can occur without a diagnosis.

“Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion, behaviour, or a combination of all these. They are associated with distress or problems functioning in social, work or family activities,” she said.

Fatimah added, based on the Psychological Health Digital Profiling System for Public Service Officers (MyPsyD), Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz recently disclosed that more than 40,000 public servants in Malaysia are at high risk of experiencing psychological health issues that require immediate intervention.

While the results of the Malaysian Psychological Wellbeing Index (IKPM) showed that the psychological wellbeing of public servants is still at a moderate level, the stigma surrounding mental health remains high in the society, Fatimah added.

“Therefore, the focus of mental health education should be to reduce stigma and create public awareness of these issues. We all need to understand that mental health is not something to be ashamed of but rather an important part of our overall well-being.

“There is also a need to normalise discussions on mental health. By doing so, we can help individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences and seeking help without fear or shame,” she said.

Additionally, Fatimah said employers play an important role in raising awareness about mental health in the workplace.

She said employers need to prevent risks that can lead to mental health problems and must protect the confidentiality rights of employees experiencing these issues.

She added that providing support to employees through appropriate programmes and resources, as well as creating a social and physical environment that supports mental health development, are important steps that need to be taken.

Moreover, Fatimah said peers play an equally important role as they can provide positive encouragement, respect the confidentiality rights of friends experiencing mental health issues, and be good listeners.

She said the National Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS), conducted periodically by the National Institute of Health under the Health Ministry Malaysia in 2023, found that one in six children in Malaysia suffer from mental health issues.

“The burden of mental health problems among children has doubled since 2019. The survey highlighted that 46 per cent of children have peer relationship problems, 25 per cent have behavioural issues, 17 per cent have emotional problems, and 8 per cent are hyperactive.

“As individuals, we all need to take action. Do not hesitate to seek help or mental health services when needed. Acting promptly if we or someone we know is experiencing these issues is a crucial step to ensure our well-being,” she said, adding that mental health is one of the 14 social issues of focus under her ministry.

“These social issues are interrelated with or have a varying degree of correlation with mental health that warrants emotional and psychological support and intervention.

“Abusing drugs, for instance, could directly lead to mental health issues like psychotic symptoms or disorders. Likewise, someone experiencing stress and depression might end up abusing drugs,” she said.

Fatimah added that the ministry supports and collaborates with several non-governmental organisations, such as Mental Health Association (MHA) Sarawak, Persatuan Kebajikan Perkhidmatan Psikiatri Miri, Awareness Against Suicide Malaysia (AWAS) and Befrienders Sarawak, to conduct activities specifically for emotional and psychological support.

On support facilities, she said the ministry is planning to establish a temporary shelter for the low-income community in recovery, which focuses on individuals recently released from prison.

“This initiative is to ensure the well-being of this community by preventing stress and pressure that could lead to mental health issues.

“For those who are already suffering from mental illness, the ministry plans to expand the function of the Homeless Transit Centres (TTG) in Bintulu, Miri, Sibu and Kuching as temporary shelters for the homeless and those with stable mental illnesses,” she said.

Among those present at the event were Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang Leong Ming, Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee, Bintulu Development Authority deputy chairman Dato Haidar Khan Asghar Khan, and Bintulu Hospital director Dr Suzalinna Sulaiman.