Fatimah (third left) with the participants of the programme in a photocall.
KUCHING: It is high time for mental illness become a prime issue to be addressed and not be regarded as isolated cases, said Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
She said with some cases resulting in death among the patients and their family members, a more concerted effort must be taken to address mental health illness.
“It is high time that mental health become a main issue for us all to tackle and address, and for the society to begin to discuss the problem openly and not regard the issue as isolated and petty.
“The increasing number of murder cases and harm to family members, and domestic violence, which are related to those having mental health problem, is a clear signal that the issue of mental health must be dealt with seriously and holistically, with the society playing an active role,” Fatimah pointed out yesterday when officiating at a mental health programme – Heal Your Inner Self – at a hotel here.
Fatimah stressed that any person suffering from mental illness should be treated immediately to prevent any untoward incident from happening, adding that mental health problem can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender or family background.
She urged government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to enhance their activities related to mental health from the aspect of psychological support to suicide preventing measures.
According to her, the stigma attached to mental illness has been the obstacle for former patients to come forward to seek assistance for their problems.
“With such situation faced by the ex-patients, it is hoped that NGOs and government agencies can work together to increase awareness among the public to remove such stigma,” she suggested.
Fatimah added that that the government was making various efforts and preventive strategies related to mental health problem like screening and intervention, and hospitals and health clinics are also offering screening and intervention services to help those facing mental health.
“In Sarawak, we have 19 psychiatrists who are placed in Sarawak General Hospital, and hospitals in Serian, Sri Aman, Sibu, Kapit and Miri,” she said, adding that another one would be set up in Limbang hospital this year.