MALAYSIANS STILL HESITANT ABOUT SEEKING PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HELP

Shah Alam, 23 August 2023 – News on the recent passing of Hong Kong pop singer, Coco Lee, continues to highlight the devastating impact of mental health crisis on families, communities and even the nation. Mental health is a familiar topic to many Malaysians with almost half of respondents (42.7%) of the Gardenia KL Wellness Begins at Home 2023 Survey admitting to experiencing mental health issues, with one in four respondents admitting that they contemplated suicide due to life’s challenges. A worrying disparity emerged from the survey between individuals facing mental health issues versus the actual rate of mental health sufferers who sought professional help.

“Thanks to a collective and concerted effort by various groups, from government agencies, to non-profit organisations, to the private sector, mental health awareness has improved over the past three years (since the Covid-19 pandemic first hit). While knowledge is power, our Wellness Begins at Home 2023 survey discovered that most respondents still did not actively address their mental health issues despite knowing they were experiencing it. Gardenia KL hopes to encourage more Malaysians to progress beyond awareness and courageously act on improving mental health by normalising the practice of seeking counselling or therapy. As a community, we also have a role to play in eliminating stigma by showing kindness and respect when we are entrusted with the knowledge that a loved one is undergoing therapy,” Gardenia Bakeries KL, Corporate Affairs and Public Relations General Manager, Hazlinah Harun.

Why is therapy or counselling still not perceived as a normal practice in Malaysia?
The behaviour revealed by 1,020 respondents surveyed by Gardenia KL provides some clues to this question. According to the survey, the top three actions respondents preferred when dealing with challenges were avoidant or passive in nature. 49.41% hoped the problem would blow over on its own, 43.51% turned to God, while 40.45% chose to ignore the problem altogether. On the lower end of the spectrum, 23.47% asked for help among friends and a mere 10.7% sought out a therapist or psychologist for help.

During the Gardenia KL Wellness Begins At Home 2023 panel discussion, Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA) President, Anita Abu Bakar, spoke about the importance of expressing emotions by confiding in others. “Challenges can get very debilitating if you don’t get the needed help. From our experience, we’re seeing a pattern. In the near future it could be highly possible that people with mental health disorders in Malaysia outnumber the people without. That’s why we must share the message with Malaysians that we are not alone, that these (challenges) too will pass and to reach out for help. A reliable support system in everyone’s life is a significant factor that leads to a healthy mind.”

These are some tips that might help start the journey as a first timer seeking professional help:
1. Do a stress and anxiety scale test to have a rough gauge
"I would recommend anyone who has little to no clue as to whether they need therapy, do a stress and anxiety scale test first . It is not a clinical test, but it helps us to gauge our stress and anxiety level. If the result comes out as 'severe,' that's when you know you need to consider meeting a clinical psychiatrist," says Anita. See Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scale (DASS) self-test at mentari.moh.gov.my/self-test/

2. Request an online consultation first
Online consultation is optional, but it might be helpful to those who are afraid to talk to a psychiatrist in person. Once you have done that, schedule an in-person consultation once you feel comfortable enough to do so.

3. Remember that therapy is a long journey
Anita adds that going to therapy could be a long journey before one achieves a better mental state. “We must engage in various activities that will contribute to our mental wellbeing. It's crucial to stay positive throughout the journey and never give up hope, regardless of how challenging the situation is or how many obstacles we need to overcome."

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to MIASA via www.miasa.org.my which offers mental health assessment and consultation, counselling services, spiritual therapy, therapeutic assessment, psychological services, and peer support. Alternatively, contact the MIASA 24-hour helpline at 1-800-820-066.

To catch the Gardenia ‘Wellness Begins at Home’ discussion, visit @GardeniaKL’s Facebook and Youtube