KUALA LUMPUR: The economic cost and burden arising from mental health issues in Malaysia is projected to reach as much as RM25.3bil by 2030 if no effective intervention measures are taken to address the issue.
Special Select Committee on Health chairman Suhaizan Kaiat said the projected surge in financial impact shows that the issue is no longer merely a clinical concern, but one that has a direct bearing on the country’s productivity and socio-economic development.
"The committee was informed that the economic burden of mental health issues in Malaysia could reach RM25.3 billion by 2030 if no effective action is taken.
"This figure shows that mental health is not only a treatment issue, but also an issue of the economy, productivity, and the future of our beloved country,” he said.
He said this when presenting an explanatory statement on Report DR.4 2026 on the Strengthening of the Mental Health System in Malaysia in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (June 22).
Suhaizan, who is also Pulai MP, said recent data on the rising trend of depression cases shows worrying figures among the adult population in the country.
"The prevalence of depression among Malaysians aged 16 and above rose from 2.3% in 2019 to 4.6% in 2023, equivalent to about one million people being affected by mental health issues,” he said.
He added that children and adolescents have also recorded a concerning upward trend over the same period.
"Among children, mental health problems increased from 7.9 per cent to 16.5 per cent over the same period. For adolescents aged 13 to 17, one in four is experiencing depression.
"These are not just figures, but a reflection of the pressures faced by our younger generation,” he said.
In view of this, Suhaizan said the committee has put forward 12 strategic recommendations through a comprehensive approach to reform the existing support system, covering three main areas of strengthening.
For critical intervention and immediate action, he stressed the need to expand the capacity of crisis helplines, launch large-scale anti-stigma campaigns, and enforce stricter ethical guidelines for media reporting. - Bernama
