KUALA LUMPUR – Distress calls statistics received by government agencies from March 25 last year to May 20 this year revealed that 85.5% of the calls were related to mental health issues that require emotional support and counselling.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the callers reported symptoms including acute stress, anxiety, depression, abuse and suicidal behaviour.
He said the Health Ministry (MoH) acknowledges that it has been a challenging time, and there is no denying that people are affected psychologically and emotionally as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The causes identified are loss of employment, no source of income, family conflicts, interpersonal relationship problems, stigma, and lack of access to aid services.
“Data from MoH, meanwhile, found that between January to December last year, a total of 1,080 people who attempted suicide were reported to have received treatment at MoH hospitals,” he said in a statement today.
The statistics were received through the Psychosocial Support Helpline established in collaboration with MoH and Mercy Malaysia, as well as the helplines of other government agencies such as the Kasih Line under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, and the KSK-Care Line under the Islamic Development Department.
He said that in January last year, MoH activated the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team at state and district levels to provide emotional support to affected individuals such as Covid-19 patients, frontliners, and those who lost family members to Covid-19.
“The team consists of public health physicians, family physicians, psychiatrists, psychological officers (counselling and clinical), paramedics, medical social officers and occupational rehabilitation officers, as well as trained individuals from non-governmental organisations.
MoH has implemented psychosocial activities in the field, including at quarantine stations and Covid-19 Low Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centres.
Dr Adham said the activities carried out were mental health screening, psycho-education through digitally distributed infographics, psychological first aid (PFA), counselling, treatment and consultation, as well as referrals to specialists when necessary.
In addition, pre-deployment briefings were also given to frontliners as mental preparation before they are mobilised.
Dr Adham said MoH will continue to implement several initiatives to address the increasing occurrence of mental health problems, such as by intensifying advocacy of the “Let’s Talk Healthy Minds Campaign” and ensuring the implementation of activities under the National Strategic Plan for Mental Health for the next five years.
“Among the strategic plans are to increase the accessibility of mental health services, prevent violence and substance and alcohol abuse through digital systems, and (utilise) the latest technology in smart collaboration with other government agencies and NGOs.
“MoH will also improve psychiatry and mental health services through the addition of 40 Community Mental Health Centres (Mentari) by 2025 (from the current 28),” he said. – Bernama, May 21, 2021
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