KUALA LUMPUR: People living in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya experience depression and anxiety the most, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said 70 per cent of those screened in the two territories faced mental health issues, caused by the high cost of living, and relationships with parents and their peers.
"In 2022, we screened 336,900 people nationwide and we found that the 'state' with the most people facing depression and anxiety (by percentage) is in the Federal Territories (of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya).
"As we all know, the cost of living (there) is high, there are many living in the B40 income bracket and there are many urban poor.
"They also face relationship issues, for example stress from parents who may want their children to become ministers," she said.
Dr Zaliha was responding to a supplementary question from Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) who wanted to know which states recorded the most number of mental health issues.
According to data from the Health Ministry, Johor also recorded a high number of people with mental health problems at 40 per cent, followed by Labuan (33 per cent), Sabah (23 per cent), Negri Sembilan (18 per cent), and Perlis (16 per cent).
Selangor and Melaka both recorded 15 per cent, while Pahang and Perak recorded 13 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.
Less than 10 per cent of those screened in Penang, Sarawak, Kedah, Terengganu had mental health problems, while only one per cent of those screened in Kelantan experienced depression and anxiety.