One Per Cent Of Malaysia's Population Have Mental Problems

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- One per cent of Malaysia's total population suffer from mental problems, with another 20 per cent having mental health problems, like depression, stress and anxiety, said Deputy Health Minister Dr Hilmi Yahaya. The ministry, he said, had made available screening facilities for the people to detect emotional and mental problems at 806 health clinics, 40 hospitals and four mental hospitals nationwide. "There are 224 psychiatric specialists and 100 clinical psychiatric specialists nationwide," he said in response to a supplementary question from Senator S.Bagiam A/P Ayem Perumal during the question and answer session in the Senate Tuesday. To an original question by Bagiam on measures taken by the government to create awareness on stress problems among the people, Hilmi said they included setting up a portal website on the matter and improving skill to address the problem among the society. --BERNAMA