Pandemic on the mind: 44% of Malaysians say mental wellness affected

PETALING JAYA: The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on people's mental health with 44% of Malaysians saying that their mental wellness has been affected since the pandemic began, according to a global survey conducted by Ipsos.

The survey found that 37% of respondents were feeling down some of the time, while 7% were feeling down all the time.

The poll, covering Covid-19 impact on wellness, was conducted from Sept 18-22 among 3,000 adults aged 18 years and above in South-East Asia, comprising 500 individuals per country.

It also said that 47% of Malaysians experienced no change in terms of mental wellness, while 9% were happier than before.

Malaysia is currently under the recovery movement control order (MCO), which has been extended until Dec 31.

Ipsos also found that Malaysia ranked better compared to its South-East Asian peers, with the Philippines ranking the highest with 62% of the respondents feeling they were either feeling down some or all of the time during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is followed by Singapore (57%), Thailand (56%), Vietnam (54%) and Indonesia (50%).

It also found that 56% of Malaysians have been less physically active since the pandemic hit, with 47% doing less physical activity than usual and 9% not doing physical activities at all.

Some 55% of respondents in Singapore have become less physically active during the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by Philippines (53%) and Thailand (47%), with Vietnam and Indonesia both recording 43%.

In a separate poll, Ipsos also found that 55% of Malaysians believe health and physical well-being are a key source of happiness.

This survey was conducted between July 24 and Aug 7, among 19,516 adults across 27 countries, with 500 Malaysians polled for it.

World Mental Health Day is this Saturday, Oct 10.