Mental Illness Afflicts 3 Million Malaysians
Over three million Malaysians – or 16% of the population – have been diagnosed with mental illness.
This was shown in the findings of a national health and morbidity study that was carried out last year.
The study also showed that the number of Malaysians suffering from mental sickness had risen 6% over the past 10 years. 20.3% of the sufferers are children below 16 and 19.5% are senior citizens aged 70 and above.
Mental stress among young people was mainly due to bad examination results, family pressure and lack of support from society.
Some students felt the pressure even when they do not get straight As and because they felt humiliated, stupid and useless.
Some take suicide as the way out. There were 20 to 30 suicides among 100,000 Malaysians each year.
Some mental patients remained uncured because they resort to bomohs.