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KUALA LUMPUR – Kuala Lumpur has the highest number of people with mental health issues in Malaysia, the Health Ministry (MoH) said.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa (Sekijang-PH) told the Dewan Rakyat today that this was based on a nationwide survey of 336,900 respondents in 2022.
Kuala Lumpur residents were found to be the most stressed and anxious, with reasons including the rising cost of living.
“Since many B40 households live there, they are the ‘urban poor’ and live in stressful circumstances,” she said in response to Mohd Sany Hamzan (Hulu Langat-PH), who asked about the government’s initiatives to help those with mental health issues.
Zaliha added that other reasons include financial crises, relationship issues with family, friends and partners, low self-esteem and substance abuse.
She said the Health Ministry has been addressing mental health issues through programmes with other ministries and non-governmental organisations.
The MoH provides mental healthcare assistance in 1,161 government clinics, 58 public hospitals, 38 community mental health centres called Mentari, and four mental health institutions nationwide, she said.
She also said that the ministry collaborates with the Education Ministry and publishes mental health assistance modules for youngsters, especially students.
These modules help them to boost their coping skills and resilience to face issues like bullying and low self-esteem, she said.
For senior citizens, the Health Ministry holds programmes to train its caretakers on handling dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. – The Vibes, March 8, 2023