MALAYSIANS are still mentally stressed following the country’s transition to the endemic phase, psychologists said.

They said since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, people’s lives have been disrupted by emotional and psychological pressures.  

This, they said, has affected schoolchildren, who missed school, and adults, whose businesses were disrupted.

Registered counsellor Alice Lee said it does not mean that mental health problems have gone away with the easing of social restrictions.

“Although the epidemic has eased, teenagers who faced schooling problems in the past will still be afraid of the future.

“Adults are worried about their business and facing financial stress,” Lee told The Malaysian Insight.

According to a report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), in the first year of the pandemic, the global incidence of anxiety and depression increased by 25%.

On April 1, Malaysia transitioned to the Covid-19 endemic phase which saw more restrictions eased.

Lee said an example of the prevalence of stress is the suicide rate during the pandemic.

“The number of people jumping off the Penang Bridge is a reflection of (mental health issues).”

According to data from the Penang Fire and Rescue Department, there were 13 cases of people jumping off the Penang Bridge in 2019 and nine cases in 2020 and 2021.

But 15 people have done the same as of May 24 this year.

Lee said the epidemic has psychologically affected everyone.

She said people must care for their mental health because it is just as important as their physical health.

“People have to know the state of the mental health rather than wait until something goes wrong to see a psychiatrist.”

Registered counsellor Chloe Ng was more optimistic.

“After the opening of economic activities, people can see hope; employment opportunities have also improved. Most people have found jobs and they feel hopeful.”

Ng said the demand for counselling at the centers has decreased.

She said everyone will face problems at work and in relationships whether or not there is a pandemic.

Ng said symptoms of stress are overeating, poor sleep and bad temper.

“These are symptoms to watch out for. If they persist for more than two weeks, people should seek the assistance of a psychologist and counsellor.”

UTAR assistant professor Dr Ooh Seow Ling people need time to return to normal after facing psychological shocks.

“Now we have to go back to the way we used to live. For example, students used to take online classes but now parents have to get up early to send their children to school. This is a change and they need to adapt.

“For those returning to work after two years, there will be changes in the company and colleagues. Commuters may feel they are wasting time in traffic jams because they didn’t need to spend time in traffic when they worked from home.”

She said these changes will take time to get used to. She said that it will take six months to a year for everything to return to normal.

“However, everyone is different and people adjust at a different pace.”

The World Health Organization released a report on March 2 showing women are more affected than men by worsening mental health problems.

Young people aged 20 to 24 are more affected than older adults and are more prone to suicide and self-harm. – June 13, 2022.