Budget 2023: better investment in mental health – Dr Kelvin Yii

THERE has been a positive increase in mental health funding under the recently tabled Budget 2023, but there is always room for improvement to properly address the growing “mental health pandemic” here in our country.

There is an urgent need to ensure investment is prioritised so that Malaysia has adequate capacity to manage both the immediate post-Covid-19 pandemic mental health issues and to stay vigilant in preparation for possible future mental health crises.

Overall, there has been a 6.2% increase in total health budget from last year from RM319,580,900 to RM36,327,355,900 from 2022. 

From there, direct funding to psychiatry and mental health services in the budget is RM335,977,000, which is 0.92% of the total budget.

If we include mental health programme spending, this would increase funding for mental health from RM335,977,000 to RM369,977,000 – approximately 1.02% of total health budget (latest figure) and 18% of the increase in mental health budget compared to year before.

On top of that, there were special mentions in the budget it comes to mental health which includes:

- Building Pusat Kecemerlangan Kesihatan Mental Kebangsaan (RM34.5 million); and

- Peningkatan Kesejahteraan Kesihatan Mental or MyMynda (RM34 million).

If we include the above, the funding for mental health in the current budget is at about RM404,477,000, which is approximately 1.11% of the total health budget – a 37% increase from previous budget.

Based on that amount, taking into account Malaysia's population, which is projected to grow to approx RM33.6 million, the total spending per person for mental health based on this budget is RM12 per person, increasing from RM9.79 in 2022.

While the positive increase in mental health funding is encouraging, we are still below the recommended percentage by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2011 Mental Health Atlas, which recommends lower-mid income countries to spend an average of about 1.9% of total health budget on mental health.

There is still much to be done in terms of greater investment in mental health, especially the need to increase mental health professionals in the public system, as well as upgrading infrastructure and increasing accessibility.

Another positive news is the seriousness of the current government to repeal Section 309 of Penal Code to decriminalise attempted suicide and to strengthen the Mental Health Act 2001 to ensure those who make attempts receive necessary support and psychotherapy rather than being treated as criminals. 

I was told this could be done as early as the current sitting – a positive step after years of advocacy and push here in Parliament.

The impact of mental health conditions is not merely a health situation, but also has potential repercussions on the nation’s economy.

In 2018, mental health conditions experienced at workplaces were estimated to cost the Malaysian economy RM14.46 billion. Imagine its economic impact with the increasing number of cases expected this year and beyond due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

Such is why there is an urgency on the matter, and while there are steps towards improvement under this government, there is much more to be done, especially for greater investment in mental health to increase accessibility to all. – The Vibes, February 25, 2023

Dr Kelvin Yii is Bandar Kuching MP