Materia Medica Malaysiana

Concern over mental health

PUTRAJAYA: Mental health problems, especially stress-related ones, have become a major part of the lifestyle of Malaysians, particularly among those living in the urban areas.
“This issue needs to be addressed so that people are more aware of the tell-tale signs of mental problems,” said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.
“As it is now, many people do not even realise they are suffering from stress.
“Problems related to stress can manifest in many forms, including sudden anger and even road rage,” he told reporters after launching the Let’s Cycle carnival at the Alamanda complex here yesterday.
The programme was part of the ministry’s Healthy Lifestyle campaign aimed at encouraging Malaysians to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating properly, exercising, abstaining from smoking and avoiding stress.
Dr Abdul Latiff said that after 14 years since the Government launched the campaign in 1991 it had yet to meet its objectives.
The ministry was now looking at encouraging the involvement of more leaders at the state and district levels in the campaign.
Dr Abdul Latiff said the campaign had succeeded “to a certain extent”, especially on physical health, but an intensive approach was needed to bring across the message on the importance of mental health.