Mental Health Matters

Mental health is a fundamental aspect of our life. It encompasses our overall wellbeing and affects our life in many ways – from the way we think, feel and act. The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia in 2015 showed that 1 in every 3 Malaysians suffer from mental health issues, with the highest prevalence among youths and those from low income families. These worrying findings mean that mental health issues frequent our population and affect everything we do.

Things unravel when left untreated. But that doesn’t mean it’s too late. Anything’s possible. Know that having a bad day does not mean you have a bad life.

So why exactly is mental health important?



Mental health affects our physical health.
Mental illnesses matter just as much as other diseases. It also has the ability to take away someone’s life just as easily. Yet, our society still tends to stigmatize and blame the victim for their mental health issues. It’s important to know that our body and mind are connected. Many mental health issues often lead to stress, which lowers our immune system and takes a toll on our physical health.

According to WebMD, “worry causes the body to release stress hormones that speed up your heart rate and breathing, raise your blood sugar, and send more blood to your arms and legs. Over time, this can affect your heart, blood vessels, muscles, and other systems.”

This may then cause further destructive patterns that can affect your physical wellbeing. Hence, it’s important not to ignore what your body is telling you, but rather to listen to it.

End the stigma and shame.
It’s important to talk about mental health rather than shunning away. Oftentimes, we feel ashamed of ourselves and are reluctant to talk about what and how we’re feeling because we perceive ourselves to be broken or not normal. Understand that the process of healing involves turning those feelings around. Feeling down is not an imperfection nor does it mean a lack of worth.

Stigma fosters shame. Shame fosters destructive behaviours which in turn, leads to self-deterioration. When it comes down to it, know that those who are mentally ill require treatment. Though seeking treatment may be difficult for many due to the lack of awareness and stigma surrounding their condition. Not saying something gives it the power to take over our lives.

Once we realize that, we can help others on their journey of growth and acceptance.