State Health, Women, Family and Community Development Committee Chairman Roslee Daud said based on the findings of research by the health ministry, mental problems should not be underestimated.
“The issue of mental health is not only about madness, but also involves changes in emotions, thoughts and behaviour that cause disorder in terms of daily activities and the inability to establish interpersonal relationships.
“Various factors can contribute to mental health problems such as financial crisis, family problems, physical illness, stress at work, chronic diseases and violence,” he told reporters after launching the state-level World Mental Health Day 2016 here today.
Also present was state Health Director Dr Mohammad Omar.
Mohammad said the public could get mental illness treatment at hospitals or health clinics, including at the Community Mental Health Centre at Wakaf Tapai Clinic in Marang and Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital.
He said about 40 per cent of the 702 patients who received treatment at the centre over the past three years had gained employment.