Role of all quarters to promote mental health - Lee Lam Thye

KUANTAN, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- All quarters should play their role by looking into an effective approach to promote mental health to address social problems that arise from the illness.

 The Patron of the Malaysian Psychiatric Association (MPA), Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said mental health problems were also linked to crime such as child abuse, as well as suicide.

"The World Mental Day, which falls this Wednesday, should be made a national agenda by all quarters,  including the government, particularly the Health Ministry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector, by organising mental health promotional activities.

"Mental health does not mean patients who have to be sent to Tanjung Rambutan, but also those facing pressure and depression,” he said, adding that based on statistics issued by the Health Ministry recently, 29 per cent of Malaysians had mental problems.

Lee, who is also Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman, told reporters this after attending a briefing by Pahang MCPF with department heads of the Pahang Police Contingent here today.

Also present was Pahang police chief  Datuk Seri Rosli Abd Rahman.

— BERNAMA