Kuala lumpur: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that one in five individuals affected by disasters or conflicts experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, while another nine per cent suffer from moderate to severe mental disorders requiring professional treatment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad highlighted that Malaysia is not exempt from these challenges. He noted that national tragedies, including the disappearance of flight MH370, the downing of MH17, the Ranau earthquake, and the Batang Kali landslide, have left lasting impacts not only on the nation’s physical and economic well-being but also on the emotional, psychological, and social health of those affected.
Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that the mental health crisis arising from disasters is a global concern, citing prolonged conflicts such as in Palestine and the recent Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission as examples of how such events cause deep psychological trauma among war victims, particularly children and families. He made these remarks while officiating the launch of the National Mental Health Month 2025.
The event, themed ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Crisis and Disasters,’ focuses on strengthening the accessibility of mental health services during emergencies, crises, and disaster situations. Dr Dzulkefly stated that the Ministry of Health (MOH) provides mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) as part of the national disaster response framework. Since 2018, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the MOH has trained officers from various professional backgrounds in psychological intervention during disasters.
As a result of these efforts, Malaysia now has 256 MHPSS teams comprising 3,676 trained personnel across all districts nationwide, ready to be mobilized for any disaster response operation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the MOH established the HEAL 15555 (Help with Empathy and Love) helpline as a dedicated mental health crisis line, which continues to operate daily and serves as a key channel for the public to access psychological support.
The government’s commitment to addressing mental health challenges is also reflected in Budget 2026, with the introduction of the K-MindSET (Komuniti Minda Sejahtera) initiative aimed at enhancing mental health literacy and fostering psychological resilience among Malaysians. A total of RM21.6 million has been allocated by the MADANI government for this national mental health agenda, demonstrating a commitment to promoting mental well-being not only within hospitals and health clinics but also in workplaces and communities.