Lee: Don’t shrink away from mental ill health

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SIBU: Mental health problems must be nipped in the bud lest it leads to a serious mental disorder such as schizophrenia, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, who is a member of the Mental Health Advisory Council, said yesterday.

He was responding to a statement by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya that one in 100 Malaysians suffered from schizophrenia.

Dr Hilmi cautioned that if the problem went untreated, the party could injure others and this was potentially dangerous.

“More Malaysians are suffering from schizophrenia but they and the people around them don’t view the problem seriously and refuse to get appropriate treatment,” he added.

Lee said the deputy minister had revealed some information on this mental illness which should be taken very seriously by all segments of society.

“Schizophrenia is a problem that exists in our community. It will have very far-reaching implications to society.

“Schizophrenia is actually a serious stage of mental disorder,” Lee said.

He pointed out that those people suffering from schizophrenia could turn aggressive depending on their moods at a certain time.

He, however, clarified this should not be construed that all those having such mental illness would behave in a similar manner.

Pointing out that schizophrenia can be treated, he said it was important that the assistance of a psychiatrist be sought.