Mentally Ill Should Be Categroised As Disabled Persons - NIOSH

Mentally Ill Should Be Categroised As Disabled Persons - NIOSH

By: Ramjit

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- The National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) is proposing to the government to include mentally ill individuals under the disabled persons category.

NIOSH chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said in previous years, mental health had been a topic of low priority for the government and community as compared to other health problems but increasingly as reflected worldwide, it had gained more prominence.

He also said that the promotion of good mental health among Malaysians of all age groups should be accorded due priority this year and be listed on the national agenda of major health and workplace issues to be addressed.

He said mental health problems, especially stress-related among Malaysians including school students, were a matter of serious concern and need to be addressed urgently so that problems like stress, anger, violence and other mental disorders such as psychosis, depression and suicides could be avoided.

"In Malaysia, we need to do more for those who suffer from mental illness. On the welfare services front, the government should include the mentally ill as disabled persons."And they should be accorded opportunities in employment to help them return to the mainstream and not be a burden to society," he said in a statement on Saturday.

BERNAMA