ONE IN FIVE DISASTER VICTIMS EXPERIENCES MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES - WHO

CYBERJAYA, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that one in five individuals affected by disasters or conflicts experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, while another nine per cent suffer from moderate to severe mental disorders requiring professional treatment.

Citing the data, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Malaysia is not exempt from such challenges, noting that national tragedies - including the disappearance of flight MH370, the downing of MH17, the Ranau earthquake and the Batang Kali landslide - have left lasting impacts not only on the nation’s physical and economic well-being but also on the emotional, psychological and social health of those affected.

“The mental health crisis arising from disasters is not unique to Malaysia but is a global concern.

“We have witnessed how prolonged conflicts such as in Palestine - including the recent Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission - have caused deep psychological trauma among war victims, particularly children and families,” he said.

He said this when officiating the launch of the National Mental Health Month 2025 here today.

Themed ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Crisis and Disasters,’ it highlights efforts to strengthen the accessibility of mental health services during emergencies, crises, and disaster situations.

Dzulkefly said the MOH provides mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) as part of the national disaster response framework. Since 2018, the MOH, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has trained officers from various professional backgrounds in psychological intervention during disasters.

“As a result of these efforts, we now have 256 MHPSS teams comprising 3,676 trained personnel across all districts nationwide, ready to be mobilised for any disaster response operation.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the MOH established the HEAL 15555 (Help with Empathy and Love) helpline as a dedicated mental health crisis line. It continues to operate daily and remains one of the key channels for the public to access psychological support,” he said.

The government’s commitment to addressing mental health challenges is also reflected in Budget 2026, through the introduction of the K-MindSET (Komuniti Minda Sejahtera) initiative aimed at enhancing mental health literacy and fostering psychological resilience among Malaysians.

“A total of RM21.6 million has been allocated by the MADANI government for this national mental health agenda. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting mental well-being - not only within hospitals and health clinics but also in workplaces and communities,” he said.

-- BERNAMA