Malaysian Govt To Focus On Mental Health Next Year (And 5 Things You Should Know About Mental Illness)
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Malaysian Govt To Focus On Mental Health Next Year (And 5 Things You Should Know About Mental Illness)

post by David Blog

by David Blog

Oct 9, 2019
at 2:20 PM

With the current limelight on mental health in society, as highlighted by Joker (2019), Billie Eilish and many other pop culture references today, it is no surprise that more and more Malaysians are talking about the importance of mental health, which is GREAT!

Image result for joker

Recently, thestar posted about the fact that the labor department will focus on mental health issues at their annual conference in KL next year. This is a huge achievement for Malaysian culture where we used to overlook mental health and sufferers are most likely to receive negative comments as backlash. 

In reality, mental health is one of the most important things to focus on today, as many of us millennials in the workforce these days are suffering from either depression, anxiety or one of the many other illnesses. According to another article in thestar, more than 40% of Malaysians are affected by mental illness.This shocking number is what compels me to raise awareness on mental illness the next few weeks, so stay tuned for tips on how to deal with mental illness, and how to help those with mental illness out, starting with 5 basics you should know about mental illness.

Image result for how depression looks like meme

 

It is a real illness 

When someone is bleeding or loses an arm, you know they are injured. 

  • Mental illness is the same but people tend to brush it off because it is not visible.

  • However, mental illness is as real as any other illness out there, and requires attention unless it gets worse.

     

    It is one of the biggest silent killers today

    Malaysia is seeing an increase of suicides as the years go by, due to the increasing number of people suffering from depression (up to 3x in the last 10 years)

  • It is the 2nd leading reason of deaths in young people, according to an article in NST.

     

    A huge majority of malaysians suffer from it

    More than 40% of malaysians suffer a form of mental illness, as reported by thestar and NST. 

  • This number is rapidly increasing, due to societal stress and cultural problems, such as…

     Asian culture looking at mental illness as a sign of weakness

  • Children not being able to talk to their parents about this due to negative stigma in our culture

  • Higher stressors in our generation compared to previously in terms of environment, finances and expectations

     

    The rate of it is increasing every generation

    Because of the increasing stress and expectations per generation, depression rises in conjunction to the increased difficulty to be happy and content within our society.

  • Uni fees 450% higher compared to 20 years ago, inflation, pollution, low wages, misconception of depression, illusions of perfect lifestyle on social media… everything contributes to this constantly increasing rate.

     

    It is treatable

    Mental illness is treatable with the right company and mindset, however, it is a group mindset.

  • Everyone needs to be understanding of each other, and our own demons, in order to combat mental illness together.

  • This is difficult to achieve in our society of “kiasu-ness” but it is not impossible.