UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (UiTM), SHAH ALAM

GDG 553 COPY WRITING

TITLE
Mental Illness in Malaysia

LECTURER’S NAME
EZAL BIN DAUD

PREPARED BY
MUHAMMAD ZIKKRU THAQIB BIN SALEHODDIN (2021878326)

CLASS
NADG4A-CAAD241
MENTAL ILLNESS IN MALAYSIA
Mental health issues or problems as well as emotional stress are among public health issues that
have become increasingly important, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. This is proven when
mental health problems show an increasing trend with the statistics of individuals seeking support
through the Psychosocial Support Service Helpline (MHPSS) which is an initiative under the National
Mental Health Centre of Excellence, Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) increased five (5) times for
the year 2022 compared to 2020 (Source: Berita Harian, October 10, 2022).

In addition, the National Health, and Morbidity Survey Statistics (NHMS) 2015 revealed that one-
third of Malaysians aged 16 and above face mental problems. In 2019, the Ministry of Health
recorded that 2.3% of adults and 9.5% of children aged 10-15 had mental problems and the Ministry
of Health projected that the percentage would continue to increase. Mental health problems in
Malaysia are also linked to suicidal behaviour where there were 1,142 cases reported in 2021 and
631 cases reported in 2020. The number of cases for 2021 shows a significant increase of 81 percent
compared to 2020 (Source: Berita Harian, October 10, 2022). Suicidal behaviour shows an alarming
rate and we are not sure of the statistics for the year 2022.

More than that, mental health problems are now also contagious to children. One in 20 children
aged 5 to 9 years in Malaysia now suffers from a mental disorder. Now the Ministry of Health has
recorded 424,000 children in Malaysia diagnosed with mental problems. UNICEF also recorded that
12.3% of teenagers aged 10-17 who live in the People's Housing Project (PPR) in the Klang Valley
experience mental health problems and tend to commit suicide (Source: Harian Metro, March 18,
2023). On June 18, 2022, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that almost 1 billion people
in the world suffer from mental problems.

As a result, mental health issues become one of the main causes that affect an individual's physical
and social well-being. Also, mental health and emotional stress among the people need to be taken
seriously as it has various adverse effects on the country. Mental health issues that now involve
various layers of society include all biological, psychological, social, and spiritual domains.
This issue cannot be taken lightly and efforts to detect, prevent and respond need to be taken
seriously. From the 9 cores of the National Security Policy 2021-2025, this mental health issue refers
to the 8th Core which is People's Security and one of the 153 items in the National Security Matrix is
Strengthening People's Mental Health and Resilience.

SUICIDE CASE
Suicide is something that is still taboo in society. Saying the word 'suicide' already describes
something very negative. It is so taboo that social media may impose restrictions on any post
containing the word 'suicide', news, and pictures about it. However, the reality is that it is one thing
that happens in our society. Previously, the media reported that suicide cases in Malaysia increased
by 81 percent with 1,142 cases compared to 2021 compared to 631 cases in 2020. The number is
based on the records of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), which also reported 467 suicide cases in
the first six months of 2022.

The contributing factors to this suicidal behaviour are varied and complex. These include
psychosocial and environmental issues, financial issues including loss of income or employment,
mental illness such as depression, lack of social support and substance abuse. However, that is not
what the author wants to touch on in this article. Over the past few years, writers have often
searched for whether there are specific guidelines for media practitioners in Malaysia in reporting
suicide cases. It is considering that media in developed countries have long had specific guidelines
for reporting such cases. Media in countries like South Korea, for example, have long had guidelines
for reporting cases like this. This is considering that the country reportedly recorded the highest
number of suicides among the countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD). However, because of the author's review, these guidelines have been issued by
the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) through Guidelines for Media Reporting on Suicide, in 2011.
It states what 'can' and 'can't' be done by media practitioners in reporting suicide cases in this
country. These guidelines were published after considering views from various parties including
experts in the field, a non-governmental organization called The Befrienders and input from media
practitioners.

The contributing factors to this suicidal behaviour are varied and complex. These include
psychosocial and environmental issues, financial issues including loss of income or employment,
mental illness such as depression, lack of social support and substance abuse. However, that is not
what the author wants to touch on in this article. Over the past few years, writers have often
searched for whether there are specific guidelines for media practitioners in Malaysia in reporting
suicide cases. It is considering that media in developed countries have long had specific guidelines
for reporting such cases. Media in countries like South Korea, for example, have long had guidelines
for reporting cases like this. This is considering that the country reportedly recorded the highest
number of suicides among the countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD). However, because of the author's review, these guidelines have been issued by
the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) through Guidelines for Media Reporting on Suicide, in 2011.
It states what 'can' and 'can't' be done by media practitioners in reporting suicide cases in this
country. These guidelines were published after considering views from various parties including
experts in the field, a non-governmental organization called The Befrienders and input from media
practitioners.

REFFERENCE

https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2022/09/998721/kes-bunuh-diri-dalam-negara-
meningkat-81-peratus-tahun-lalu

https://www.mkn.gov.my/web/ms/2023/04/13/kesihatan-mental-di-malaysia-semakin-
membimbangkan/