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Mental disorders afflict 21% of Malaysians




(The Star, 22 May 2006)

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-one per cent of Malaysians have mental disorders as a result of the pressures of life, and the figure is rising. According to clinical psychologist Mahadir Mohamad, based on a survey from 1995 to 2000, depression topped the list, followed by psychosis, and drug and alcohol-related mental disorders.

“Based on year 2000 statistics by the Public Health Institute (Disease Burden Department), 108,324 people suffered depression. Those between the ages of 30 and 59 were most affected by this disease, and the figure is rising by the year,” he said at a forum on recognising mental health and illness organised by KL Clinical Psychology Counselling Centre here yesterday.

He said anxiety was also a form of mental disorder, with 33,714 people diagnosed with it.
Mahadir, who works for the Health Ministry, said 24,647 people were diagnosed with psychosis. Alcohol and drug-related mental disorders accounted for 21,441 and 27,522 people respectively.

“Many are not aware that they are suffering from such a disease because they refuse to spend money to get professional help,” he said.

He said that based on statistics, in the year 2000 there were 319 deaths caused by mental disorders. Drug-related mental disorders topped the list with 187 deaths, followed by depression with 94, psychosis (eight) and alcohol-related mental disorders (30).

“Some of them don’t even know that they have a mental illness, and also there is a social stigma that when you see a shrink, you are deemed insane."

“This perception is wrong and those who feel that they have a mental illness should come forward to get counselling from any government clinic before it becomes acute,” he added.

Just something that I would like to share with all of you. Many are not aware of their mental health status. They are afraid to get professional help because of the social stigma and discrimination, scared of being labelled as 'crazy' or 'insane'. There's nothing to be afraid of, and if you seek for help early, you can regain your normal life.

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