SGH director: Chronic diseases likely to lead to mental disorders

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GIVING INSIGHT: Dr Abdul Rahim (second left) being briefed by Dr Selvasingam (third left) on the mental health exhibition at SGH yesterday. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: Patients suffering from chronic diseases are likely to suffer from mental disorders, said Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) director Dr Abdul Rahim Abdullah.

“With chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, Hepatitis B, this would inadvertently impact the social lifestyle and economic status of patients. In addition, they will also experience social stigma such as being isolated from society,” he said when officiating at SGH Psychiatric Department Open Day and Mental Health Day 2012 here yesterday.

Dr Abdul Rahim stated that if these problems were not addressed properly, they would cause patients to suffer from serious mental illness, adding that physical health problems also affect mental health of individuals involving their families, community and country.

He revealed that globally, mental illnesses were expected to increase from 11 per cent to 15 per cent by year 2020, adding that World Health Organisation (WHO) predicted that ‘depression’ would be the second most common disease after heart disease.

“Depression is also one of the risk factors that lead to suicides,” he added.

Dr Abdul Rahim noted that a National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health last year concluded that depression was prevalent among adults at 1.8 per cent while anxiety stood at 1.7 per cent.

The survey also reported that females experienced higher cases of mental disorders than male at 2.3 per cent compared to 1.4 per cent.

“The survey on the suicidal attitudes among adults shows that 1.7 per cent of them had the idea to commit suicide while 0.9 per cent had planned to commit suicide. 0.5 per cent of those involved in the survey had tried to commit suicide before,” he said.

Considering the serious implications of mental illnesses, Dr Abdul Rahim urged the public to practise a healthy lifestyle to ensure they would always be in the pink of health.

“Do not think that mental health is not important. In order to be healthy overall, we must be concerned about physical and mental health.

“We must remember that the future of the nation depends on its citizens who are healthy and have strong mental and physical strength. Any disturbance from chronic mental and physical health will stunt the efforts by the government to develop the country,” he said.

Among those present during the event were SGH child psychiatrist Dr Selvasingam Ratnasingam and medical officer Dr Henry Luk.