Khairy reveals 14pct frontliners suffered from severe mental disorders
A study conducted by the Institute for Health Behavioural Research (IHBR) last year revealed that 14.2 percent of health frontliners suffered from severe mental disorders, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.
"To date, the Health Ministry has conducted two studies and monitoring indicators related to issues on mental health problems in the community.
"The study by IHBR in 2020 found that 14.2 percent of the ministry's...
A study conducted by the Institute for Health Behavioural Research (IHBR) last year revealed that 14.2 percent of health frontliners suffered from severe mental disorders, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.
"To date, the Health Ministry has conducted two studies and monitoring indicators related to issues on mental health problems in the community.
"The study by IHBR in 2020 found that 14.2 percent of the ministry's frontliners suffered from severe mental disorders," he said.
A lack of child care support at home was among the factors that contributed to mental health issues for the working parents, he told Hasan Bahrom (Harapan-Tampin) in a parliamentary reply.
Hasan asked if the government would conduct a comprehensive study on the mental health problem and depression among the urban and rural communities during the pandemic.
In June, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to significant emotional stress among the healthcare workers.
Citing a study that involved 893 healthcare workers, he said it found that a total of 53.8 percent of medical frontliners have suffered from burnout.
Conduct a more comprehensive study
Meanwhile, Khairy also said the Health Ministry will conduct a more comprehensive study by end of September into the psychosocial impact among Malaysians.
This came after an earlier analysis found that as many as 82.1 percent who called the helpline needed emotional support and counselling due to unemployment, loss of income, family conflicts and interpersonal relationship issues, he added.
Noor Hisham also raised concern on how the pandemic impacted the general public.
"If depression is failed to be identified and treated properly, there is a risk of suicidal behaviour.
"Suicidal behaviour includes suicidal ideation, suicidal plan, suicide attempt and death due to suicide," he had said on Sept 5, in conjunction with the World Suicide Prevention Day.
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