PETALING JAYA: Society should show empathy towards people struggling with mental health issues and stop looking down on them, says MCA Beliawanis.

       Its chief Ivonne Low Yi Wen (pic) said the stigma society puts on people struggling with mental health made them feel ashamed and discouraged to get professional help.

       “The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on people’s mental health and recent number of suicide deaths is worrying.

       “However, the pandemic is not the only reason for mental problems and there may be underlying reasons as to people’s struggles which caused them to act unexpectedly,” she said in a statement on Friday (July 2).

       Citing a study done by The Centre, Low said more single women aged below 35 experienced mental health issues during the pandemic and financial problems, thinking about their future and certain social practices were among contributing factors.

       Co-founded by Science, Technology and Information Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, The Centre describes itself as a not-for-profit, centrist thinktank driven by research and advocacy of progressive and pragmatic policy ideas.

       Low also said mental health issues required proper treatment, which includes counselling and emotional care.

       But she said society can also do its part to help lighten other people’s mental burden during the pandemic, adding it was not just the job for the government and NGOs.

       “The government and NGOs have run programmes and campaigns to raise awareness about mental healthcare but is this enough?

       “Society can also take on some responsibilities so this problem doesn’t grow like cancer to the country. Steps need to be taken to prevent violence, depression, emotional pressure and acts of suicide,” she said.

       She also advised those struggling with mental health to not bottle up their problems and encouraged them to seek professional assistance that could help them through their struggles.

       On June 29, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there had been 631 suicide cases in 2020 compared to 609 in 2019.

       Those suffering from problems can reach out to: Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or WhatsApp 019-261 5999); Jakim’s Family, Social and Community care centre (WhatsApp 0111-959 8214); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929 or www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers and operating hours).