When floodwaters rise or earthquakes shake the ground, we often rush to determine how many homes have been destroyed, how many roads have been submerged, or how many people have died.

However, there is another unseen casualty that rarely makes the headlines: our mental health.

Long after the waters subside or the tremors stop, trauma, anxiety, grief, and despair persist.

The theme for this year's World Mental Health Day 2025 serves as a timely reminder that having access to psychosocial services is always necessary, particularly during emergencies.

Nearly 100 million people were impacted by disasters worldwide in 2020, and experts predict that up to one-third of those affected may experience serious mental health issues.

In Malaysia, emergencies are ingrained in our collective memory, ranging from frequent monsoon floods to pandemic shocks.

Devastating floods in November and December of 2024 forced over 95,000 Malaysians to flee their homes, mostly in Kelantan and Terengganu.

After losing their homes, families were forced to live in cramped evacuation centres with little privacy and even less psychosocial support.

Long after physical safety was restored, survivors frequently report restless nights, recurrent flashbacks, and crippling anxiety.

Stress, uncertainty and insecurity

However, disasters are not the only events that can cause mental health issues. Nearly one million Malaysians aged 16 and older suffer from depression, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023.

Approximately 7.9 per cent of teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 displayed signs of depression. These numbers remind us that disasters only worsen an already fragile landscape.

The situation is equally concerning for working adults. According to the Employment Hero Wellness at Work Report 2024, burnout was reported by 67 per cent of Malaysian workers, an increase from 58 per cent in 2022.

Emergencies and economic instability only add fuel to this fire, leaving workers struggling to cope with stress, uncertainty, and insecurity.

Even with advancements such as AI-powered chat services, telecounselling platforms, and mental health hotlines, access to support remains uneven.

Many individuals continue to be silenced by stigma, especially in rural areas where the “shame of asking for help” discourages them from speaking about their struggles.

This disparity is further compounded by geographic limitations, low digital literacy, and a shortage of qualified professionals.

There is approximately one psychiatrist for every 100,000 people in Malaysia, a figure significantly lower than the level recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Mental health initiatives

The government recognises this challenge. In 2025, RM24.6 million was allocated to strengthen mental health initiatives, including the expansion of the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health.

However, funding alone will not resolve the issue if services fail to reach those stranded in shelters during floods or cut off during crises.

Access to psychosocial services during disasters must be built on a solid and inclusive foundation to uphold the principle that “mental health is a universal human right”.

Psychosocial care is an essential component of relief efforts and should never be regarded as an optional add-on.

To ensure that survivors are not left to heal on their own, emotional support must be provided through mobile counselling units, volunteers trained in psychological first aid, and organised follow-up care – just like food and medical aid.

However, technology can be utilised more effectively to bridge service gaps, especially in underserved or remote areas. Telemental health platforms hold great potential, but they must be localised and tailored for environments with limited bandwidth.

Consider a flood survivor who cannot physically reach professionals but can still receive timely support and guidance by checking in with a qualified counsellor via WhatsApp.

That brief interaction could mean the difference between coping and spiralling into further trauma.

Community-driven initiatives

Lastly, community-driven initiatives are essential to eradicate stigma. Catastrophes have the power to normalise conversations about mental health.

Peer support groups, survivor sharing circles, and public awareness campaigns can help reduce shame and encourage people to seek help earlier.

The sooner a person feels comfortable asking for assistance, the sooner recovery can begin.

With such a holistic approach, access to psychosocial support during disasters becomes not just an aspiration but a tangible reality that upholds the rights and dignity of every individual.

Ultimately, crises reveal our deepest values. Ignoring mental health sends the message that psychological wounds are less important than physical ones.

Yet we know that trauma can disrupt lives for years – affecting relationships, education, productivity, and even survival.

Counselling, therapy, and community support must be made accessible and affordable for everyone, just as clean water and vaccines are mobilised during disasters.

Every flood, pandemic, or catastrophe tells the same story: recovery is not only about rebuilding homes but also about healing hearts and minds.

Malaysia’s challenge is to transform its mental health services from a reactive crisis response to proactive, universal access. By embedding psychosocial support into disaster preparedness and relief, we can turn vulnerability into resilience.

-- BERNAMA

Ts Dr Ismaniza Ismail is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA.