Article search by  : En. Sharul Azman Ramli (Pegawai Kewangan)

Author : Dr. Rozanizam Zakaria- Pakar Psikiatri dan Penolong Professor Kuliyyah Perubatan, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM)

Source : Rencana Berita Harian 4 Julai 2022

 

Although the expression money is not everything is often exaggerated, the fact is that individual well-being depends closely on the stability of life. The stability of life depends on basic things such as food, shelter, work, and the ability to make a living daily.

Therefore, the health status of an individual also depends on the economic status. For example, individuals in economic hardship and living in poverty will have difficulty accessing healthy food, optimal medical assistance and are more vulnerable to some diseases such as infectious diseases.

So is the aspect of emotional well-being. Mental health is closely related to the individual's environmental and socioeconomic conditions. Those two factors will contribute to the cause of mental stress and be a protective factor for mental problems.

Economic position, career, stability of source of income, well-being of residence, number of dependents and debt burden among factors will determine the status of a person's mental health.

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) globally found that the suicide rate is closely related to the rate of income inequality measured based on the Gini Coefficient. This means, the bigger the gap between the rich and the poor, the more stress will eventually lead to mental problems such as suicide.

Similarly, studies show a trend of increasing cases of depression, drug abuse, and domestic violence during the period of economic turmoil around the late 1990s.

The increase in the cost of living has been talked about a lot lately and is expected to affect most of the people.

Its increase will reduce the financial resources of individuals and families, eventually it can be a factor disrupting basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and education.

When basic needs are affected, it will trigger stress, thereby creating conflict and growing negative emotions such as hopelessness, guilt, and lack of self, ultimately having a long-term emotional impact.

It also affects an individual's ability to get help. Individuals experiencing stress may not be able to go for treatment because they must work overtime to cover the increase in costs.

For daily wage earners, attending a hospital appointment means that the day's income is affected. No wonder some are willing to turn a blind eye to their own needs to continue survival.

Stress, depression, extreme anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, self-harm and suicide, domestic violence among the manifestations of emotional stress is often associated with life stress.

B40, individuals without a place to live, stable employment and social support, women, and young people, have a history of mental illness and the use of prohibited substances among vulnerable groups should be given attention.

At the same time, attention needs to be given to the children of the poor and underprivileged who are usually affected indirectly due to the family's economic hardship.

The Malaysian public is strongly advised to observe the early signs of mental problems in the people around them, including emotional changes such as moodiness, irritability, anxiety and restlessness, behavioural changes such as loner, self-harm, loss of appetite, sleep disorders and any change of mind such as thoughts of despair, loss of hope, difficulty focusing and ideas of self-harm.

We need to identify risk individuals, learn to manage stress in a healthy way such as sharing with trusted people, be ready to get help, if necessary, avoid using negative means such as illicit substances or releasing stress with violence.

The support of family and people around is also important. Community support systems such as neighbours, community leaders and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should play a role.

If mental health issues during a challenging economic phase are not addressed, it can lead to an increase in cases of chronic mental illnesses such as prolonged depression, bipolar and schizophrenia.

If not helped, they can risk complications such as harming themselves and others. It will also interfere with the functionality of affected individuals such as losing the ability to work, take care of themselves and their families.

All parties need to be concerned – from individuals to authorities. There needs to be an effective mechanism to detect individuals at risk, increase access to assistance, prioritize sustainable financial assistance to affected individuals, take care of vulnerable groups such as women, single mothers, and young people.

Provide more government facilities with access to counselling as a buffer to cover the burden of referrals to psychiatrist clinics. Overall efforts by NGOs, government agencies, higher education institutions and religious bodies.

The community needs to be aware of the welfare of neighbours and distant families, offer help and not prejudice individuals in need of psychiatric help.

 

 

Date of Input: 02/08/2022 | Updated: 16/08/2022 | nurmiera