BY: AZLIZA ARIF

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, most Malaysians who were mentally ill suffered acutely and there were also those who were traumatised by the stigma associated with their illnesses and fought hard to overcome becoming ostracised and shunned by society.

But when the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, a significant number of people developed a range of mental disorders and illnesses owing to the lockdowns, the Movement Control Order, the loss of jobs and incomes and deaths due to the coronavirus.

Ever since then, till now, there has been a better understanding of mental illnesses by the general public which has resulted in people being more compassionate and taking in their stride the fact that mental illness should not bear a stigma.

This is why, indirectly, there was a silver lining in the cloud when the outbreak of the coronavirus took place as Malaysians began to develop sympathy and compassion for all those who were suffering from various forms of mental illness.

Not only is the stigma of mental illness not so prevalent now in the New Normal but significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the treatment and management of mental illness as sufferers voluntarily come forward to seek help.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Health must capitalize on these developments to take the mental health and well being of the rakyat to the next level by introducing cutting edge medication, treatment and therapies for the betterment of all Malaysians.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher