PETALING JAYA: Up to 11,791 calls were made to the Health Ministry's psychosocial support hotline between March 25 and the end of August, this year.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the hotline was set up on March 25, in collaboration with Mercy Malaysia, to help Malaysians cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said issues faced by about 50 per cent of callers were related to stress, anxiety and despair.
"The factors were loss of jobs, no source of income, interpersonal relationships, isolation and reduced access to mental health help and services during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"Calls were also made on information related to Covid-19 (17 per cent), marital issues including domestic violence (8 per cent), followed by financial issues (7.4 per cent) and psychiatric problems (3.4 per cent)," he said when launching the Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (Miasa)'s activity and crisis management centre at the Orchid Clubhouse here, today.
Dr Adham said the Covid-19 pandemic and the MCO, which has been in force since March 18, have created the greatest impact on those experiencing mental health issues.
On attempted suicide cases, Dr Adham said based on data collected by the Health Ministry, a total of 465 cases were recorded between January and June this year.
"There were 210 fewer cases this year as compared to the same period in 2019, with a total case of 675 cases."
He said the ministry also organised the "Let's TALK Minda Sihat" campaign, launched in Oct 2019, focusing on inter-sectoral collaboration between governmental, corporate and non-governmental agencies aimed at promoting mental health.
"TALK stands for: T- Tell someone you trust about your problems; A - Ask for help; L - Listen without judgment; and K - Know where to seek help.
"The ministry also offers mental health screening and treatment services at 66 hospitals, 1,001 primary healthcare clinics and 28 Pusat Kesihatan Mental Komuniti (Mentari) to increase access to mental health services.
"Other governmental agencies also created support hotlines such as KSK Care Centre by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and Talian Kasih by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry."
Dr Adham said the ministry also supports calls by non-government organisations to decriminalise suicide.
"The government is aware that attempted suicide cases are worrying and must be addressed.
"The Attorney-General's Chambers is currently studying the laws related to accomplice and attempted suicide offences in the country.
"Hopefully, efforts made towards decriminalising attempted suicide cases will give a chance for those who need help to come forward and to receive treatment without facing any stigma," he said.
Dr Adham said the launch of the Orchid Clubhouse by Miasa in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day today, is timely.
"The Orchid Clubhouse is the first of its kind in the country, implementing the concept of peer support to empower those experiencing mental health conditions through activities such as workshops, training, classes such as cooking, baking and religious classes.
"It will serve as a crisis centre with volunteers, while becoming a safe zone for those who need help. The centre will teach the public to normalise mental health views and reduce the stigma around the condition," he said.
Also present during the event were Miasa royal patron Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan Al-Sultan Abdullah; Miasa president Anita Abu Bakar; Petaling Jaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal; and Association of Wives and Women Employees of Petronas (Petronita) president Jemilia Md Jelas.