Johor sees rise in mental health, emotional disorder cases during pandemic


Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon says a total of 57,855 individuals were screened for ailments related mental health and emotional disorders in the state in 2022. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, March 20, 2023.

JOHOR recorded an increase of more than 20% in cases of mental health and emotional disorder since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic three years ago.

State Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the figure is worrying and the matter needs to be managed well to prevent it from escalating to other health issues.

“Last year, the Johor State Health Department recorded 28% of mental health cases and emotional disorders in the state, compared to 21% in 2021.

“In 2020, the same type of cases was also at a high, at 28%. We detected a trend after the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020,” he said when replying to a supplementary question during the Johor legislative assembly meeting today. 

He said before 2020, mental health and emotional disorder cases were only between 11% and 12%.

Ling said as of last year, a total of 57,855 patients were screened for ailments related mental health and emotional disorders.

“This is compared to only 35,951 patients in 2021 and 37,128 patients in 2020 when Covid-19 started spreading,” he said.

Among the causes of emotional disturbances identified were job losses and financial issues, he added.

He said the State Health Department has been providing services to help patients adapt to new situations and cope with emotional issues. 

In addition, he said the Johor government, through the State Health Department, also provides mental health support services to flood victims, especially in severely affected areas.  – Bernama, March 20, 2023.


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