JOHOR BARU: The woman who allegedly murdered her one-year-old son has been sent to Permai Hospital for one week for mental evaluation, says Ling Tian Soon.
The Johor health and environmental committee chairman said doctors will be assessing her mental state.
“What happened to her and her family is a huge tragedy,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Ling, who is also Yong Peng assemblyman, said the tragedy highlights the importance of mental health.
He said having a sound mind is as equally important as having a fit and healthy body.
Ling urged those facing mental health issues to immediately reach out for help from trained psychologists or counsellors.
“If you see a sudden change in behaviour of the people you know or loved ones, then they need help.
“Bring them to nearby health clinics, public hospitals or even government agencies that provide psychology support or counselling,” he added.
Meanwhile, Seri Alam OCPD Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the 32-year-old suspect was sent to the hospital on the date of arrest on Saturday.
He said the toddler’s cause of death was due to slit throat.
“The victim died in the living room of the family home,” said Supt Mohd Sohaimi.
Police will soon be calling the neighbours to have their statement recorded.
On Saturday, police arrested the suspect for allegedly murdering her son by slitting his throat at their home in Taman Cahaya Masai near Pasir Gudang.
Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar had said a report was lodged about the murder at around 1.30pm.
He said police also seized a knife at the scene.
“Early investigations found that the suspect had sent a picture of the deceased after the incident to her husband via WhatsApp,” he said.
In response to the case, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri called on family members to be aware of postpartum depression in mothers who have given birth to prevent unwanted incidents.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said sudden changes in behaviour or speech could be an indicator that a mother is suffering from postpartum depression.
“We cannot take this lightly. The husband especially must be aware of the situation because we don’t want it to affect other family members,” she told reporters after handing over childcare fee subsidies and launching a child safety campaign in Kuching yesterday.
Nancy said postpartum depression is not new but could be worrying if left untreated.
“The degree of depression may differ from one person to another.
“Medication can mitigate the problem, but we still have to be very careful.
“This person cannot be left alone most of the time. It’s important for family members to be with the mother,” she said.
Nancy also said her ministry would consider carrying out a campaign to raise awareness on postpartum depression.
“We’ll see what kind of reminders we can do,” she said, adding that private initiatives are also welcome.
Those in need of help and counselling can reach out to:
Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or WhatsApp 019-261 5999); Jakim’s Family, Social and Community Care Centre (WhatsApp 0111-959 8214); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929) or checkout www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers and operating hours.
