Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Mental health support is offered to those affected by disasters such as floods, says Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.
He said the state Health Department has a mental health and psychosocial support team that promotes and treats such issues.
“It also provides psychosocial first aid and intervention support for victims of disasters to combat mental health issues stemming from crises.
“Such matters could be detrimental to the victims if left unattended,” he said in the state assembly here on Monday (March 20) in reply to Selamat Takim (BN-Sungai Balang)m who asked about efforts to combat mental issues among the people.
Ling, who is also Yong Peng assemblyman, added that there was an increase in those facing mental health issues during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic years.
“About 28% of those who underwent a mental health screening in 2020 showed abnormal results, which was a jump from the 11% and 12% recorded in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
“In 2021, about 21% showed abnormal results and last year, it increased again to 28%.
“This trend is worrying and shows that the root cause of mental health issues should be identified and handled so (as not to) lead to other health issues,” he said.
