Number Of Mental Patients Increases In Parallel With WHO's Projection

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- The number of mental patients in Malaysia has been seen to be increased in parallel with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) projection that the global burden of mental disorders would increase by 16 per cent by 2020.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said 400,227 mental patients had sought treatment at government hospitals last year and the number was an increase of 15.6 per cent from the previous year.
"We have identified depression as the most worrying type of mental disorder and it is expected to be the second largest disease suffered by Malaysians after heart disease," she told reporters after opening the Physical and Mental Health and Fitness Campaign at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here today.
Rosnah also said the ministry was giving extra focus on promoting mental health care, including by organising a six-month stress management activities for students in several schools nationwide.
The schools involved are SMK St Michael in Penampang Sabah, SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi (Seberang Perai, Penang), SMK Simpang Bekoh (Jasin, Melaka), SM Sains Teluk Intan (Perak), MRSM Gemencheh (Negeri Sembilan) and SMJK Catholic (Petaling Jaya, Selangor).
Rosnah said the activities, which aimed at improving the students' skills and abilities to manage stress, also saw participations of parents and school management.
Hence, she said such activities would be expanded to all schools soon.