The HEALTH | JAN/FEB, 2020
16
HIGHLIGHT
Let's talk about stigma
Th e deterioration of mental health state in
Malaysia alarms the government and NGOs alike
L
et’s be real, a lot of us are in
one state of mental health or
another. According to recent
studies, one in three Malaysian
will suff er from a mental illness
by 2025. Yikes! However, it
seems that most of us are suff ering in
silence – to avoid being seen as a ‘category’
in the eye of a public. Another statistic to
the board of mental issue graph or a chart.
According to Dr Norashikin Ibrahim
from the Disease Control Division,
Ministry of Malaysia, most mental
health patients are afraid to come clean
about their condition due to the public
perception.
“We are afraid to be seen as an ‘undesir-
able’ in the eye of the public, our parents,
our peers, our employers and potential
employers. Th is leads to the suppression
of their feelings – and they can suppress
it quite well which subsequently leads to
suicidal thoughts that comes with the
undiagnosed condition.”
Stigma is nothing new to our local com-
munity. Getting rid of it is more daunting
task than helping the mental health
patients. According to Dr Norashikin,
who is also Head Sector of Mental Health,
Substance Abuse and Injury Prevention
– stigmatisation happens in workplace,
community and even family members. It
has been that way since the early 80s.
“We launched the Let’s TALK Minda
Sihat campaign in October 2019 to
combat stigmatisation of the mental dis-
ease patients. It’s a nationwide campaign
to encourage these suff erers to talk about
their mental conditions. To not judge them
by how they feel about things,” she says.
Her hope is that Malaysia becomes a safe
place for those who suff ers from mental
illnesses.
Dr Norashikin believes that the Let’s TALK Minda Sihat
campaign can help improve the awareness of the general
public and eradicate mental health stigmatisation.
Data shows that the suicide rate in Malaysia
has increased since 2010. Most patients
suff er in silence to avoid the public
perceptions. They are made to believe that
they are adequate by the community.
Let’s
TALK Minda Sihat
An initiative to create awareness to the general public the importance of mental health and eradicate
mental health stigma.
T – Tell someone
you trust about your
problems
A – Ask for help
L –Listen without judgement
K – Know where to seek help
Managing
workplace
stress
ACCORDING to Dr Norashikin, there are
many contributing factors to workplace
related stress.
“Some may come from the work itself,
while some of it comes from external factors.
At work, you might feel stressed out when
you are unable to achieve the expectation set
by your boss or your company. Much worst is
when you cannot exceed the expectation that
you’ve set on yourself,” she says.
She explains that the surrounding may
factor to workplace stress.
“At the workplace, things like managing
expectations, infrastructural shortcomings,
and even intrapersonal relationship with the
boss and the company. Th e burden of work,
lack of recognition and inadequate office
break time can lead to burnouts and further
harm the workers’ mental health. Imagine
working so hard on something to just let
others have the credit and acknowledgement.”
In addition, our obligations outside of our
jobs may aff ect our work performance. Some
of us are faced with immense stress when it
comes to their life outside of job.
“Not to mention the employees who brings
their work home after they have punched out
for the day. Th at is why the employers should
provide suffi cient compensation for their
workers.”
Th ey say that your personal life should stay
out of the offi ce. However, it’s not fair that
the employers expect the workers to work
through the weekends, according to her.
How can the employers help?
“Th e employers should create a conducive
environment for the workers – create a
healthy work culture where the burden of
work can easily be managed by the employers.
A support system within the organisation can