We ignore mental health issues at our own peril

THE latest incident in which a man ran amok and killed two young children in Yan, Kedah, should serve as a wake up call to the government and relevant agencies to address mental illness issues urgently and beef up programmes on mental health development in the country. (“Man kills two children in fit of rage”, Nation, The Star, Jan 10; online at tinyurl.com/star-rage.)

The public should also play their role in tackling the problem, which is now on the rise due to various factors. More effort should be made to promote good mental health  development at the community level. Like a time bomb, those who are suffering from mental health problems may explode at any time, affecting their family and community or their workplaces and colleagues.