ARGUMENTATIVE ARTICLE

More Psychiatrists Needed

https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/10/841444/more-psychiatrists-needed

Group: Natasha & Nisa

Yoda: Chempaka Ixora

LETTERS: I welcome the government's allocation of RM34 million to set up the National Mental
Health Centre of Excellence.

This will enable better management of mental healthcare programmes and streamlining of
efforts by the government and stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

However, there needs to be a long-term investment in training more mental health

professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a ratio of one psychiatrist for every 10,000
population, but there are fewer than 500 psychiatrists in the country.

Now, with a minimal fee, one can get psychiatric treatment in public hospitals, Pusat Mentari
and some health clinics.

However, with the public mental healthcare system being burdened with a high volume of
patients, the waiting time can be a challenge to some.

The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019 said the prevalence of depression
among the B40 income group was highest at 2.7 per cent.

They may not be able to afford treatment in private hospitals or clinics.

The government may want to consider subsidizing those from the low-income group to get
treatment in a private setting.

This is to minimize the waiting time, which can prevent their condition from getting worse.

Those with mental disorders are at a higher risk of committing suicide. This does not mean that
people without mental disorders will not feel suicidal.

To have effective suicide prevention initiatives, we need supporting data, and this is why we
should reinstate the National Suicide Registry Malaysia.

Data collected will be useful in planning suicide prevention strategies and policies.

NHMS in 2019 found that 424,000 children experienced mental health problems.

In 2021, more than 11 percent of people in distress who contacted Befrienders KL for emotional
support were under 20. WHO said that half of all mental disorders begin by age 14, and three-
quarters by the mid-20s.
So mental health literacy should be introduced to school-going children. Creating awareness at
a young age will encourage help-seeking behavior.

In schools, there should be trained student counselors to provide support and intervention.

Non-teaching staff should be equipped with basic skills in emotional support so that they can
recognise students with mental health issues.

Selected students can be trained to become peer supporters.

Mental health awareness programmes need to be developed for parents as well.

Parents need to create a safe environment at home for their children to talk about their
struggles.

Workplace stress can be a cause of mental health issues. Creating a safe and mentally healthy
working environment is paramount to employees' wellbeing.

The government may look into offering incentives or subsidies to companies to set up an
Employee Assistance Programme.

I applaud the Health Ministry's effort in handing over RM6.2 million in support of mental health
non-governmental organizations.

Reasons: I believe that this is an argumentative article because the author argue about the topic
which is there is need more psychiatrists in Malaysia. The author also state the results from the
survey about which people that risk to get mental health problem. Lastly, the author argue about
the government should provide more psychiatrists in school to make the students feel safe.