OVER one million Malaysians aged 16 and above are currently living with depression, according to the latest findings of the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 – a sharp rise from just 500,000 recorded in 2019.
The alarming increase was highlighted by Bandar Tun Razak member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who described mental health as a critical foundation for building a productive and emotionally resilient society.
“The increase from 2.3 to 4.6 per cent clearly reflects the public health challenges that need urgent attention,” she said, as reported by Harian Metro, during the launch of the Wanita Kaseh Programme by Tekun Nasional at Dataran Pantai Morib on Friday.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, noted that one in six Malaysian children between the ages of five and 15 are now affected by mental health issues. “This is not just a statistic, but a stark reality,” she said.
The Wanita Kaseh initiative, she added, also targets the entrepreneurial sector, especially women, recognising that mental wellbeing is essential for those navigating the pressures of modern business.
“Entrepreneurs who are physically fit and calm in spirit will be more focused, creative, and resilient in facing the pressures of the business world, which is infused with elements of competition almost constantly,” she said.
She urged women, in particular, to prioritise their wellbeing. “Our busyness in going out to earn a living cannot be used as an excuse to neglect our own health.
“A healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, stress management and work-life balance are very important,” she said.
“Healthy and balanced women will also be more capable of leading their families and contributing to society.”
Earlier in the programme, Dr Wan Azizah, accompanied by Tekun Nasional chairman Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, presented RM337,000 in business financing to eight recipients from Kuala Langat and Sepang under five funding schemes, in conjunction with the Morib Tekun Madani Carnival.
Since its inception in 1998, Tekun Nasional has disbursed RM10.5 billion to more than 600,000 entrepreneurs across the country. - August 31, 2025
