LETTER | Respect for human dignity enhances mental health

LETTER | World Mental Health Day was celebrated on Oct 10 and there were various activities conducted in Malaysia.

An interesting number of corporate organisations also took part in events which were very encouraging and underlined the importance of mental health for general wellbeing of individuals in the family, workplace and society at large.

There were activities promoted to enhance mental health such as talks, sporting activities and yoga practices.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health conditions severely disrupt daily life and contribute to massive economic losses amounting to US$1 trillion (RM4 trillion) annually in lost productivity.

There are various areas of concern affecting the mental health of individuals in society according to WHO - such as anxiety and depressive disorders, suicides, severe mental disorders, and vulnerable life span groups like older adults.

While all these initiatives to address mental disorder issues are welcome, the Association for Welfare and Dialogue (Acid) is concerned that the understanding of mental health issues have been narrowly understood, from the perspective of human beings as social economic beings, rather than human persons with integral human dignity that is beyond the limited aspects of social economic progress.

Besides that, by merely coming up with activities to address mental disorders without understanding the root causes of issues related to mental health such as unjust social conditions, material deprivation and relational issues with other persons, one would not be able to grasp the underlying conditions that lead to mental disorders.

Harassment, social deprivation

For example, a worker who is mentally harassed by his or her superior with the intention of forcing a resignation, has a relational, psychological and social dimension.

Material and social deprivation like being underpaid and living in poor housing conditions are also potential for mental disorders.

Lack of spiritual life and communion with others could also cause mental disorders, since human persons are spiritual and social beings.

An integral human being with dignity is understood through the framework of Integral Human Development.

An authentic human development cannot be reduced to just one metric like economic wealth or physical survival.

Instead, an authentic human life requires promoting the good of each person and of the whole person across all dimensions such the material, social, intellectual, moral, relational, spiritual, and psychological.

Unless all these integral dimensions are addressed and not merely on the individualistic psychological dimension, any efforts will only resolve issues on a short-term basis.

Therefore, Acid would like to urge the authorities who are involved in addressing mental health issues to emphasise the importance of respecting human dignity.

It means that we must consider aspects such as material, intellectual, social, moral, relational, spiritual and psychological aspects in promoting mental health.

This would help in addressing mental health issues from a long-term perspective.

In essence, respect for human dignity in all dimensions should be the motto in addressing mental health issues in the country.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

PAS MP pushes for teachers' mental health literacy, Dzulkefly touts school programme and training

'I'm not okay': What happens when someone seeks help over mental health?

MPs press govt for more mental health experts, facilities