MAy, 2019 | The Health
issue: mental health
Malaysian state
of mental health
The MMHA is optimistic about the future of mental health
management in Malaysia
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Major barrier
Dr Andrew also thinks that one of the prevalent reason
on why people are afraid to come out and say that they
have mental health issues, is that there are no financial
support to get help.
“Insurance plans widely doesn’t cover incidence
of mental or psychological problems. That becomes
a major barrier for people to not be more forward in
experiencing mental health issues,” he tells.
For most, therapy and other services relating to
the embitterment of mental health are out-of-pocket
expenses.
Heightened awareness is showing
T
he Malaysian Mental Health Association
(MMHA) is perhaps the oldest association
formed to support, counsel, and reha-
bilitate people with mental illnesses in
the country. Formed in 1967 by a group of
mental health professionals and commu-
nity leaders from University of Malaya, the non-profit
voluntary organisation also continuously advocates
for better mental health while trying to destigmatise
mental illnesses.
MMHA is currently led by Assoc Prof Dato Dr
Andrew Mohanraj Chandrasekaran, Consultant
Psychiatrist and a veteran in psychosocial rehabilita-
tion. According to Dr Andrew, mental health issues in
Malaysia is certainly rising, however the awareness for
it is also at a promising rise.
Complete rehabilitation services
MMHA was formed as a way to support people with
mental illnesses, and the core activity is psychosocial
rehabilitation. However, MMHA also provide resi-
dential facility next to their centre as a way to cater to
people living outside the Klang Valley area receiving
rehabilitation.
“This ensures that they are fully participating in their
programmes as well as providing support for the family
members. MMHA is not only concerned about getting
people with mental illness to have access to relevant
services, but also to give the family the support they
need. This is because we know that at the end of it, it
is the family which determines the effectiveness of the
therapy,” he expresses.
Dispelling myths
about mental illnesses
“The MMHA have done quite a number of activities in
regards to creating awareness for mental illness. We
will usually have all our activities chartered out for the
year, and it will culminate on World Mental Health Day
on 10 October annually,” he begins.
The MMHA have organised the 2018 Mind Run &
Carnival in Bukit Jalil, where 3,000 people have par-
ticipated. “What is most interesting in regards to the
event was that after it has been done, we have received
many requests from universities to actively participate
in any of their activities relating to mental health. We
see that as an accomplishment acquired by the event.”
The MMHA, as stated previously, are very keen on
establishing better awareness regarding mental ill-
nesses. And they particularly focused on destigmatising
the conditions among Malaysians.
“Most of the activities we do have a strong emphasis
on dispelling the myths surrounding mental illnesses as
well as the people who are experiencing the condition,”
he adds.
Prevalent yet are still ignored
Dr Andrew spoke about how prevalent depression and
anxiety disorders among Malaysian are nowadays, and
also how they are still widely being misunderstood.
“We are so used to the thinking that mental illness,
particularly chronic mental illness, has to be a psychotic
disorder – also known by the stigma-fueled term ‘crazy’.
Therefore we think that people with mental illness will
always have psychotic behaviour. This is actually a
myth. Not more than two percent of people with mental
illness are actually psychotic.” he firmly states.
Because of the myth involving mental illness, and
the stigma that goes along with it, people are not
coming out, accepting, and telling people that they
have mental health problems. “This is the major issue
really, in terms of people with depression and anxiety.
And unfortunately, we don’t actually see that, because
it is not very obvious.”
We are so used to
the thinking that
mental illness,
particularly
chronic mental
illness, has to be a
psychotic disorder
– also known by the
stigma-fueled term
‘crazy’. Therefore
we think that
people with mental
illness will always
have psychotic
behaviour.”
Dr Andrew believes
that mental health
management and
awareness in the
country will improve.
Having said that, Dr Andrew happily acknowledges the
fact that awareness for depression, especially among
employees in the workplace is increasing in current
times.
“The awareness among Malaysians regarding
depression has been astounding, given by the fact
that we have received numerous requests by colleges,
universities, and big corporate workplaces to engage
with their employees. It shows that they are admitting
that workplace depression is an issue.”
“It shows that things are changing for the better in
our country for mental health,” he says.
Looking forward to change
As previously stated, MMHA does a lot of advocacy
work among the public. However they also advocates
to key players in the industry in better supporting
mental health. “We have been engaging with various
ministries, as well as Bank Negara and major corpora-
tions in the insurance industry.”
“I know that even as we speak, the insurance indus-
try is taking into consideration the need to have some
form of medical coverage for mental health problems.
They just need to work out the details as things are not
always clear-cut when it comes to mental health,” he
tells.
Dr Andrew, as the president of MMHA declares
that he is confident change will come for the better, in
awareness, support, and management of mental health
problems in Malaysia. — The Health