Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad has declared a renewed focus on tackling the stigma surrounding mental health, marking it as the next priority in his health reform agenda.
Speaking at the Mental Health Convention 2025 in Bangi on Wednesday, Dr. Dzulkefly drew comparisons to his previous campaigns against the harmful effects of sugar, smoking, and salt, stating, “After addressing the three S’s, the fourth battle is against stigma.”
The minister stressed that overcoming societal stigma is critical to encouraging individuals facing mental health issues to seek necessary help and treatment. He added, “The Prime Minister brought me back to complete my unfinished reforms, and now I am returning with renewed determination to ensure the health of the nation.”
Citing alarming new data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, Dr. Dzulkefly highlighted that over one million Malaysians aged 16 and older suffer from depression, while the incidence of mental health problems among adolescents has more than doubled in recent years. In 2019, 424,000 adolescents (8%) reported mental health issues, but this number surged to 922,000 (16.5%) by 2023. The survey also found a rise in suicidal ideation and attempts among young people.
In addition to the human cost, Dr. Dzulkefly warned that mental health issues are contributing to significant global economic losses, largely due to absenteeism and presenteeism in the workforce.
“We cannot expect those affected by mental health issues to seek help if they fear being stigmatized,” he said. “Breaking this stigma is critical for building a more supportive and inclusive healthcare environment.”
To address the issue, the Ministry of Health has launched several initiatives over the years, including the Let’s Talk campaign in 2018 and the Stop Stigma, Mental Health Belongs to Everyone (Hentikan Stigma, Kesihatan Mental Milik Semua) campaign. In addition, roadshows under the Minda Sihat programme were held across five states – Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Melaka, and Pahang – to raise awareness and improve mental health literacy.
As part of the government’s ongoing commitment, Budget 2025 includes an allocation of RM24.6 million to strengthen mental health services and expand the capacity of the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health.
Dr. Dzulkefly emphasized that eradicating stigma is not just a health priority but a societal imperative that requires collective action from all sectors of society.
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