Mental health is often a major issue or conversation throughout the country including Malaysia. With a relatively high statistical rate, mental health issues are very much highlighted in building a healthy and growing society and people. According to the Malaysian Ministry of Health (2016), globally an estimated 450 million individuals worldwide suffer from mental health disorders which contribute 13% to the global disease burden. This issue is seen as very worrying, especially now that the whole country has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic since last year (2020) which has caused the country’s political, economic and social situation to be greatly affected.

According to Sinar Harian (2021), Malaysia’s mental health is currently in a worrying state. The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) revealed that of the more than 100,000 phone calls received from psychosocial support, 91.2% needed emotional support and counseling. Epistemological research in Malaysia in the last 50 years has only repeated the same theme in cases of attempted suicide or suicide (Maniam & Chan, 2013). It is said that the level of suicide attempts is 10 times the rate of suicide (Maniam, 2010). This proves that the psychological status of Malaysians is low and unhealthy.

Many past studies have shown various causes of suicidal or suicidal behavior such as comorbidities of psychiatric disorders, substance use, mental health, psychosocial factors, family history and biological factors (Karaman & Durukan, 2013). Rose Fadzilah, Rusdi, Zahari, and Haris (2017) argue that mental disorders can result in a person repeatedly thinking about death or planning to commit suicide. This finding is also supported by Klonsky, Alexis & Boaz (2016) who say that suicidal behavior stems from a relatively severe mental disorder causing a person to be unable to think rationally. Mental health is related to three things, namely depression, anxiety and stress. By saying that a person’s mental state is not good, it is these three barriers that can affect a person’s physical and mental health and cause suicidal tendencies.

Depression is a major health issue and a cause of disability and death worldwide (Beaudry et al., 2019). Statistics released by the National Morbidity Health Survey conducted in 2019 show that about one -third of the population in Malaysia suffers from lifelong depression (Sinar Harian, 2019). If we look at the world, almost 90% of suicides have mental disorders in the moments before death, and 60% of them suffer from depression (Daily News Online, 2018). Through past research, many factors can cause depression, such as difficulty finding satisfaction, frequent crying, feeling tired, difficult decision making, indifference, worrying about physical health, always feeling like an individual has failed, abused, regretful, and often sad ( Abdullah & Rosli, 2018).

Lee Lam Thye (2017) argues that it is normal when an individual feels insecure and dizzy when undergoing health and blood tests but it can be abnormal when an individual experiences extreme anxiety resulting in shortness of breath, body shivering and sweating which is defined as a disorder mental health i.e. anxiety (Metro Daily, 2019). This extreme anxiety is said to not only happen to most employees but anyone can experience it regardless of age (Hafiz Ithnin, 2019). People who experience anxiety will experience excessive panic because of that anxiety which can cause difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, sweating or fever. If this feeling occurs again, it is an anxiety disorder (Siti Aisyah, 2015; Mo Haad Hidir, 2019). In addition, as a result of having to think about problems all the time, individuals will experience disorders that result in them being restless, restless and difficult to close their eyes (Mimiys, 2017).

Izzat Hazmir (2018) states that stress is a person’s physical or mental instability and is associated with lifestyle. According to Odeleye (1993, among the causes of mental disorders start from stress and it is the basis of psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. Charlesworth & Nathan (1982) argue that fear and anxiety are two stress factors that are interpreted into the category of emotions. Individuals will worsen. the expected situation has not yet happened and expects something bad. Stress also has a negative effect in producing unstable emotions.Individuals who experience stress do not have the ability to cope it even the problem is just a small issue. Depressed individuals will also experience some negative symptoms such as easily feeling frustrated, quick blood pressure and irritability thus having a negative impact on personal relationships, work, friends and (Izzat Hazmir, 2018).

According to Azizi Yahya (2007), based on the studies researched, stress from employers and the workplace, family and even peers are among the causes that result in a person experiencing mental disorders. Therefore, optimal mental health care is a must because in the event of mental disorder, individuals will experience changes in thought patterns and result in thought disorder (Ministry of Mental Health, 2019). Through the evidence of past studies, it is clear that mental health plays a role against suicidal tendencies in society. A person who is suicidal is at risk of developing a disorder and depression is the one that is often associated (Shaffer et al, 1996).

NUR SYAFIQAH BINTI BAKHTIAR

Next Gen Link Volunteer

REFERENCES

Alyasa, J. (2021). Kesihatan Mental Rakyat Makin Membimbangkan. Sinar Harian. Retrieved from https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/146022/SUARA-SINAR/Analisis-Sinar/Kesihatan-mental-rakyat-makin-membimbangkan

Manak Ek Klai, F. K. B. (2020). Kesedaran Tentang Masalah Kemurungan Dalam Kalangan Guru. Malaysian Journal of Society and Space, 16(4), 273-284.

Mokhtar, L. (2020). Covid-19 Bunuh Mental Rakyat. Sinar Harian. Retrieved from https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/106538/LAPORAN-KHAS/Covid-19-bunuh-mental-rakyat

Nurul Sofiah Ahmad Abd Malek, N. A. R. M. S. H. (2020). Peranan Kesihatan Mental Sebagai Moderator Terhadap Kecenderungan Bunuh Diri. Malaysian Journal of Social Science, 5, 87-89.