KUCHING: Hospital Sentosa treats over 20,000 outpatients every year which shows a need to address the issue of mental disorder, especially depression.
According to Batu Kitang State Assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, one of the most common mental disorders is depression and it is in everyone without even realising it.
“This issue is something that needs to be addressed or be concerned of and public awareness on the matter is important to educate the public on mental disorder.
“Physical and mental issue must not be taken lightly, and do not be scared to seek for help from the relevant authorities,” said Lo when officiating at the World Health Day 2017 celebration at Hospital Sentosa at 7th Mile, Jalan Penrissen here, yesterday.
He said family members and friends played an important role in helping those with depression by giving them support and discuss with them about the matter in order to avoid the stigma about mental health disorder.
Meanwhile, Hospital Sentosa director Dr Ismail Drahman said the hospital was currently housing 218 inpatients diagnosed with various mental sicknesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar, depression and others.
He said 70 per cent of them were permanent patients while the other 30 per cent were acute patients.
“Of the 70 per cent permanent patients, 40 per cent are above the age of 60 and they have been here for quite a long time because they have been comfortable with the hospital’s treatment. Some of them have been here since 1968,” said Dr Ismail.
He also called on non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector and individuals to visit the patients at Hospital Sentosa as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“It would means a lot to them to have someone from the outside to come and spend time with them as a social therapy,” Dr Ismail said, adding that more help would be needed for Hospital Sentosa in terms of equipment and infrastructure to provide better services for the patients.
The World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April and this year’s them is ‘Depression: Lets Talk’.
Meanwhile, the 29th World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and 21st Malaysia Conference on Psychological Medicine (MCPM) 2017 will be held from 18 to 22 July, 2017 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
A total of 23 international speakers from around the globe will be sharing their experiences and exchanging knowledge during the conference.
Also present at the ceremony was the representative of Sarawak Mental Health Association Kuching Chapter, Dr Gan Chee Kuan.
