THE full lockdown mode that the country is currently in is bound to reignite a barrage of mental health problems among Malaysians.
The uncertainties that arise from the pandemic has threatened our sense of safety and bring a sense of hopelessness in individuals, especially when they experience stressful life events.
These include loss of income, family conflicts, loneliness and loss of loved ones during the pandemic, and quick measures need to be taken to address them before the situation takes a turn for the worse and further aggravate people’s already-fragile state of mind.
Beyond just providing the people with financial assistance, there is also a need to enhance mental health literacy in the country, where each one of us is equipped with the right knowledge of this.
While mental health issues have been ongoing since the first movement control order was put in place in March last year, the stigma of mental health isn’t something that could be resolved overnight, and this is what’s been preventing people from seeking help.
As a result, they bottle up their emotions and hope that they will eventually go away as they feel that they could not get validation for their fears and emotions, and that they would be judged for their issues.
In these circumstances, family members lay a crucial role in providing support to their loved ones by staying connected. As movement is currently being restricted to a 10-kilometre radius, it is important that we always find different ways to improvise.
While it can never replace physical interaction, social media is a great way to stay connected, as are phone and video calls.
On a community level, this is where politicians can ‘serve’ the people in their constituencies. These elected representatives and local councillors can play a part by being more alert to the needs of the people – while financial aids are a relief during these difficult times, mental health support needs to be prioritised as well.
What better way to go about this than to offer that kind of support to individuals who need help via weekly tele-discussions or one-to-one meetings?
While most of these problems cannot be resolved overnight, knowing that someone out there is listening is a great relief. It is, after all, important to remind these individuals that there is hope and help out there.
This is why it would be of great help if these elected representatives can learn to recognise the warning signs. This way, they can encourage people with problems like severe anxiety and depression, or those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, to seek help at a hospital or clinic.
There are trying times ahead, with the pandemic looming over our heads and the uncertainties it brings wreaking havoc on our mental wellbeing. Therefore, the Government, alongside the relevant authorities, must find ways to handle this matter. – June 6, 2021
Photo credit: NACC Malaysia
