By Low Win Li
“Depression does not cherry pick its victims.”
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh during “The Effects of Social Media on Our Youths’ Mental Wellbeing” forum, shared on the need for support when it comes to tackling mental health problems in our community:
“Mental health problems are no longer an isolated case… We need to send out the same message: that if you are suffering problems, it is okay that you are stepping out and choosing to seek help. We want to make sure that the idea of counselling is common and mainstream.[1]”
The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2017 conducted by the Health Ministry’s Institute for Public Health (IPH), found that the state of mental health among Malaysian adolescents had reached a worrying state.
The survey on students’ problems found that 50% of 120,420 students faced personal problems which included exam stress, 29% faced family issues, 11% faced problems with friends, and 10% faced conflict with their teachers. NHMS 2017 also revealed that adolescents, between the ages of 13-17, suffered from mental health problems.[2] Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye made the observation that just between the years of 2011 to 2015, there has been a 50% increase in the number of depressed patients.[3]
Although depression has been the brunt of many a millennial’s glorified running joke, mental illness (specifically depression as the major mental health condition) is the second biggest health problem affecting Malaysians after heart disease.[4] “It is expected to rank No.1 by 2020,” according to Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) deputy president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj Chandrasekaran[5].
One of the biggest challenges in addressing depression is the stigma surrounding mental health illness. Although mental health is more openly talked about overall in today’s day and age, there are still misconceptions of what mental health conditions actually are. Beliefs that conditions such as depression are a personality defect rather than a clinical illness do still exist. Many do still view depression as a sign of weakness, or a person acting out, and those who are struggling are expected to ‘snap out of it’ or grow up. But in reality, it is very real, and a serious clinical entity.[6]”
Depression does not have an exact face. Depression is not necessarily obvious, and for some, it is something that could be masked beneath their cheery persona. Although they may not ‘look’ the part of someone suffering with depression, it does not take away the feelings of worthlessness, shame and self-loathing that they may feel inside.
Confronting depression takes a collective effort. Not only should there be an open environment that is supportive of each other to seek for help, but we too need to change the way we view mental health.
Psychological treatment – or what is commonly known as ‘talking therapy” – for mild depression may provide a supportive environment for a person to work through difficulties. Mental health professionals like psychiatrists and clinical psychologists can help by providing skills and strategies to change negative thinking patterns and behaviours that contribute to depression.
Antidepressant medications, are prescribed as an aid to help restore the brain’s chemical balance in improving mood and relieve other symptoms of depression. In more severe depression, a combination of both antidepressant medication and psychological treatment has been shown to be most helpful. This applies on a case-to-case basis, but if the depression is severe and debilitating, or if the urge to carry through with any suicidal thoughts becomes overwhelming, a brief stay in an inpatient setting might be extremely beneficial.[7]
People with depression often fear they will be perceived as weak or, even worse – crazy. Though cultural and societal norms are changing slowly, Dr Mohanraj believes that everyone, from governments to employers in society must all the more act together. “We need to have a more holistic approach to address mental health issues,” he says. “It’s not just about improving services. A great deal of advocacy must be done. There has to be preventive measures… this needs to be done urgently.”
Mental health is real. Mental health is not just a figment of the imagination, or not as important as physical health. It is real, it is happening, and everyone has their own battles to fight. But just because we all have our own battles, it does not mean that we are unable to take the time to understand one another in our journey.
Instead of merely existing, let us walk together towards really living.
[1] The Star Online, Ministry wants participation of all to tackle mental health woes, November 24, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGsPFDaa4NE
[2] The Star Online, Too many teens suffering from stress, October 12, 2018, https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/12/too-many-teens-suffering-from-stress-examoriented-culture-not-only-affecting-students-but-teachers-a/
[3] The Star Online, 29% of Malaysians have mental problems due to stress, says Lam Thye, August 5, 2018, https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/05/lee-lam-thye-more-msians-will-suffer-from-depression-by-2020-due-to-stress/
[4] Wan Norliza Wan Mustapha, Depression on the rise, New Straits Times, April 24, 2018, https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2018/04/361026/depression-rise
[5] Dr. Caren Andexer, NHMS: Mental health patients in Malaysia have doubled over ten years, NIMS Today, November 12, 2016, https://today.mims.com/nhms–mental-health-patients-in-malaysia-have-doubled-over-ten-years
[6] S.Indramalar, Understanding depression: Why we need to snap out of the stigma, Star2, June 13, 2018, https://www.star2.com/health/mind/2018/06/13/tackling-depression-suicide/
[7] Yi-Di Ng, What You Need To Know Depression And Suicide: The Malaysian Mental Health Association Speaks, Female Magazine, June 19, 2018, http://femalemag.com.my/health-fitness/what-you-need-to-know-depression-and-suicide-the-malaysian-mental-health-association-speaks/
