PETALING JAYA: Malaysians should show more empathy to people struggling with mental health issues and stop looking down on them, says MCA Beliawanis.Its chief Ivonne Low Yi Wen said the stigma faced by these sufferers made them feel ashamed to seek professional help.

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

       “However, the pandemic is not the only reason for mental problems. There may be underlying factors behind their struggles which caused them to spiral, ” she said in a statement yesterday.

       Citing a study done by Malaysian think-tank The Centre, Low said more single women aged below 35 had experienced mental health issues during the pandemic.

       Other contributing factors included financial problems and worries about their future, she added.

       Co-founded by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, The Centre describes itself as a not-for-profit, centrist think-tank driven by research and advocacy of progressive and pragmatic policy ideas.Low said mental health issues required proper treatment such as counselling and emotional care.

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

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

       “Society can also take on some responsibilities so that this problem doesn’t grow. Steps need to be taken to prevent violence, depression, emotional pressure and suicides, ” she said.

       Low also advised those struggling with mental health to seek professional help instead of bottling up their problems.

       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).

       In another statement, Crisis Relief Squad of MCA chair Datuk Natalie Lim Chong Ly spoke about people who were “overwhelmed by despair”, adding that “some have sadly committed suicide”.

       As such, Lim said there should be more education and awareness of cherishing life in promoting public welfare.

       “We hope that more friends and family members will show love and care to those who feel aimless and have lost hope, ” she added.