Mentally distressed people urged to seek treatment

KUALA LUMPUR: Those suffering from mental disorders including stressed related or depression are urged to seek immediate psychological help.
The Counseling and Psychology Mara Malaysia Association president Dr. Saaidah Abdul Rahman said it was disheartening to note that some employees do not want to seek help as mental disorders under the World Health Organisation (WHO) comprise a broad range of problems, with different symptoms.
Some examples cited by WHO are schizophrenia, depression, intellectual disabilities and disorders due to drug abuse. Dr Saaidah said most of these disorders can be successfully treated.
Many a time, she added, employees do not want to seek help for fear of being discriminated by their peers and family members whereas in other countries those affected seek psychological and counseling assistance without shame.
"In fact, they (the employees) are proud to say that this person is my counselor. Sadly, here is different; it is something that is swept under the carpet.
"This has long-term repercussions to them where they either can't work or advance their studies," she said when met after the 1st Asean 2016 Psychology and Counselling Conference today.
Earlier, Mara's director-general Datuk Ibrahim Ahmad said mental assistance should be prioritised, especially among civil servants for them to be more productive.
He cited a study in which an individual undergoes three mental steps – cognitive (how they think), affective (how one reacts) and their actions.
"Therefore, professionals such as counsellors and psychologists should study further the peoples' needs through emotional and social intelligence," he said.
Some 150 specialists attended the conference from among other countries Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei.