NST: Suicidal cases due to mental health problem in Malaysia worrying - Khairy

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KUALA LUMPUR: The number of suicidal cases linked to mental health has spiked significantly, over 80 per cent last year compared to the year before.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the trend is worrying as 1,142 cases were reported in 2021 compared to 631 cases in 2020 - a jump of 81 per cent.

"This calls for an immediate action to be taken towards prioritising the mental well-being of the community," he said in a statement in conjunction with World Mental Health Day today.

During the Covid-19 pandemic period, he said that the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) hotline received 212,319 calls last year, an increase of almost five fold at 44,061 calls in 2020.

Under the National Mental Health Center of Excellence, he said that the ministry will launch a new hotline service called Talian HEAL at 15555 from Oct 21, 2022. The line is also accessible via the 999 emergency hotline.

According to Khairy, the centre will be the lead coordinator of mental health activities, combining public health, medical and research components.

He stressed that amongst the main challenges in ensuring good mental health and well-being is the gap in mental health funding.

Hence he welcomed the RM413.58 million allocation from the 2023 Budget for the Mental Health and Psychiatry Program.

"The ministry is committed to providing the best mental health services to the people through health facilities including 60 hospitals, 1,161 health clinics and 35 Community Mental Health Centers.

"Cooperation between the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the community needs to be strengthened to ensure that the health and mental well-being of oneself, family members and the community can be achieved.

"For this, a total of RM6.2 million in funds has been allocated to mental health NGOs that are active in implementing mental health advocacy," he said.

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