As
the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Malaysia, mental health issues are taking a growing toll across the
country.
Like
in much of the world, social isolation, economic insecurity and the loss of
loved ones have become major drivers of anxiety, depression, stress and other
challenges.
But
in Malaysia, mental health problems were already on the rise. Government
statistics show rates of mental health issues have tripled over the past two
decades and the economic impact on the country is expected to surge to US$6
trillion by 2030. According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity survey, roughly half a million people in