By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, July 11 — Klang has been identified as the district with the most mental health cases in Selangor, with an average of approximately 500 patients receiving treatment at public health clinics annually between 2020 and 2024.
State executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the main contributing factors were financial difficulties, family and marriage problems, and workplace challenges, all of which lower mental resilience to life’s stresses.
“These individuals need to seek social support from those around them to help cope with life’s challenges.
“Additionally, lifestyle plays a significant role, as some individuals struggle to manage stress, become involved in drugs and lack involvement in physical activities,” she said at the question-and-answer session during the State Legislative Assembly session today.
The Petaling district had the second-highest number of mental health patients, with an average of approximately 400 patients each year, followed by Sepang (300 patients).
Other districts recorded between 70 to 200 cases on average each year.
Citing findings from the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, Jamaliah said there are 4.6 per cent (one million) of Malaysians aged 15 and above who suffer from depression.
The prevalence according to age is 7.9 per cent for those aged 16 to 19, 7.6 per cent for 20 to 29 years, and 3.1 per cent for those aged 60 and over.
The prevalence for ages 30 to 59 ranges from 2.4 percent to 4.1 percent. The complete report by state has yet to be published.
She was responding to questions from Sabak state assemblyman Sallehen Mukhyi regarding the number of mental health cases by districts and factors that contribute to this issue.
