06/09/2025

SATURDAY | SEPT 6, 2025

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Psychiatrist-to-population ratio ‘not that bad‘: Expert

Risky to depend on social media mental health advice: Academic PETALING JAYA: Social media has become the go to source for mental health advice for many young people, but experts warn that the same platforms that raise awareness also risk fuelling myths and harmful content that endanger vulnerable users. Universiti Teknologi Mara Faculty of Communication and Media Studies senior lecturer Dr Hamizah Sahharon described social media as a “double-edged sword”, pointing out that nearly one in three TikTok videos on mental health contain misleading information that often spreads faster than facts. “However, when content is created by professionals, social media can play a positive role in raising awareness, reducing stigma and providing community support. “The challenge is to help youth tell the difference between myths and facts.” Hamizah said while online peer groups and influencers can ease isolation and offer round-the clock support, they can also create serious risks. “Influencers often lack the training to provide safe, evidence-based guidance, making their advice risky in crisis or severe conditions. “The safest approach is when peer support is integrated with professional oversight, ensuring that young people benefit from community and connection while still accessing expert care.” She said one of the myths that persist online is the tendency to equate mental health solely with mental illness. “Many young people overlook that it could also encompasses positive well-being. Others believe social media automatically causes depression or that any heavy use amounts to addiction, which oversimplifies the issue.” Hamizah said misconceptions also include assumptions that all youths face cyberbullying or harmful content, when experiences vary widely. “Many tie their self-worth to likes and comments or compare themselves with unrealistic beauty standards, which can harm self-esteem. These overgeneralisations ignore that social media, when used wisely, can also provide peer support and valuable resources.” She said for many youths, going online feels safer and more accessible than turning to parents, teachers or doctors due to fear of stigma, cultural expectations or confidentiality concerns. “Barriers such as fear of being misunderstood, concerns about confidentiality, cultural stigma around mental health and long waiting times for professional services often discourage them from seeking formal help. “For many, the online environment feels like a safer first step to discussing issues that may be difficult to raise face-to-face.” Hamizah stressed the need for parents, teachers and schools to guide youth towards credible resources, promote digital literacy and ensure privacy. “When youths are involved in designing tools and supported by teachers or counsellors, interventions become more effective.” – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi avoid congestion at supermarkets. Wong also plans to assist the underprivileged in the Gopeng parliamentary constituency, particularly the elderly and asnaf without vehicles, by taking them to selected locations to purchase essential goods so that they do not miss out on the benefits. On Aug 31, PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar called on the party’s elected representatives and the public who are able to do so to donate the aid they received to those in need. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia may not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of one psychiatrist for every 10,000 people but experts say the shortfall should not be seen as the main barrier to improving mental health care. Malaysian Psychiatric Association president Dr Mohd Fadzli Mohamad Isa said Malaysia is not lagging too far behind its regional peers in terms of psychiatrist-to population ratio. “Malaysia is actually on par with Brunei, which has about 1.2 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. Of course, we are behind Singapore, which has about four psychiatrists per 100,000, but that is not really a fair comparison. “We are definitely doing better when compared with countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, and even the Philippines which is way, way behind us.” o A‘ lthough lagging behind Singapore, Malaysia on par with Brunei, doing better than Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines’ Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

be channelled into medication, psychotherapy and physical treatment to address the varying severity, complexity and complications of mental illness. “Each patient’s treatment must be personalised and holistic to ensure better long-term outcomes.” He said rehabilitation must also be treated as a sustainable long-term effort, particularly for patients who develop complications. Currently, 70 government hospitals provide psychiatric services but Dr Mohd Fadzli said more needs to be done to ensure that these facilities offer more than just basic or “skeletal” care. He said hospitals in major towns should have access to sub-specialties while rural areas need stronger coverage through nearby health clinics and referral systems to prevent cases from worsening. “More training for family medicine specialists and general practitioners is also crucial to strengthen care at the primary level. “Upgrades to psychiatric wards and standalone clinics, expansion of Mentari centres, investment in modern therapies and AI, as well as training more allied professionals are crucial to ensure accessible, holistic and effective mental health services. “More posts should be created for psychiatrists and medical officers while the private sector should also step in by opening in-patient facilities and psychiatric nursing homes to complement government services.” He also cautioned the public against seeking help from unqualified individuals posing as mental health practitioners.

He added that psychiatrists are often seen as the “gatekeepers” of mental health but the role of other professionals such as counsellors, psychologists and family doctors should not be overlooked. While acknowledging the shortage of psychiatrists compared with the WHO benchmark, Mohd Fadzli said mental health care is not solely dependent on specialists. “Psychiatrists can focus on severe and complex cases while those with milder conditions may be managed by family medicine specialists and general practitioners at primary care level. Still, Malaysia must gradually increase its number of psychiatrists in view of rising clinical complexities.” However, producing more psychiatrists is not as simple as increasing intake as quality must also be ensured. Currently, psychiatrists in Malaysia are trained either through a Master’s programme at six public universities or via the MRCPsych (UK) parallel pathway under the Health Ministry. But with only 40 to 80 graduates annually, supply remains far below demand. “Training capacity is limited by the availability of supervisors and centres. Our goal is to produce psychiatrists who are not only clinically competent but also capable in administrative and educational roles.” Mohd Fadzli said mental health funding is spread across prevention, treatment and rehabilitation but allocations should be more specific to meet the needs of each sector. “Early intervention, particularly for first episode psychosis, is crucial to prevent illnesses from worsening. More funds should

ICONIC ATTRACTION ... A century-old ferry was transformed at a cost of RM10 million into the Penang Ferry Museum, which will be opened on Sept 16 in conjunction with Malaysia Day. – BERNAMAPIC

Sabah Pakatan Harapan leaders to donate RM100 Sara aid to underprivileged KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders have expressed readiness to donate the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid they received to underprivileged groups in their respective constituencies. federal GLCs to consider donating the aid they received. Sabah Industrial Development and programmes truly reach the target groups and benefit them.” In Perak, two PKR assemblymen chose to donate the RM100 aid they received to residents of the Jalan Hospital Flats in Ipoh.

Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, who is also Sabah DAP chairman, said the party’s representatives were ready to use the aid to provide basic necessities to those in need. Kapayan assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang said she had no objection to distributing the assistance to individuals or families in need. “As a leader, I will ensure that such

State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea S.C. Ng, who is also Teja assemblywoman, said the location was chosen as the public housing area falls under her portfolio. Simpang Pulai assemblyman Wong Chai Yi advised the recipients to plan their purchases to

Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, who is also Sabah PKR Leadership Council chairman, said the assistance would help the groups obtain sufficient basic necessities. He urged all elected representatives and party leaders holding positions in state and