THE importance of mental health cannot be overemphasised. When the elderly struggle for help with their mental wellbeing without government assistance, it raises the question of whether mental health is truly a priority.

Consider the case of the Malacca Mental Health Society (MMHS). Established in 1991 to provide much-needed mental health services, the society remains mostly unknown to local non-governmental organisations and psychiatrists.

Even the Malaysian Mental Health Association is unaware of MMHS’s existence. The former does not have a database with information about mental health societies in the country.

With such gaps, how does the government plan to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health?

The Malaysian Insight brought this baffling situation to the attention of MMHS president Dr N. Rajagopal.

“I am not surprised that many do not know of MMHS’s existence given the challenges we face, i.e. lack of funds, resources, and premises to operate from. MMHS members hop from one residence to another to conduct meetings. My house, too, has been converted into MMHS meeting grounds.

“The society some years ago asked the Malacca government for the use of vacant government quarters in Peringgit but was refused,” Dr Rajagopal said at his office at Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM) in Bukit Baru, Malacca.

MMHS has not been able to attract young people to show interest in mental health issues.

“It was a slow-growing society for many years. We worked on raising awareness of mental health and carried out fundraising projects. We also conducted mental health talks in schools and factories,” said Rajagopal.

“We also do ward visits during festival events. These efforts require funds, and despite not having any sponsors, we continued with our endeavours.

“Awareness has increased, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, based on the number of people turning to mental health providers for help. But the stigma remains due to ignorance and superstitious beliefs,” he said.

A delicate subject

MMHS deputy president Dr M. Swamenathan said members are not encouraged to diagnose or counsel abuse survivors.

“Inadequate understanding of trauma and abuse will result in more harm when trying to assist abuse survivors,” said Swamenathan,  who is the Psychiatry Department head at MUCM.

This became evident when a abuse survivor, Jane (not her real name) met with an elderly MMHS member, who gave Jane’s contact number to a “mind coach” in Malacca without her consent.

Why was this private practice given preference? Why dismiss the government psychiatrists who are also MMHS members?

Jane had at no point requested help from the MMHS member. Providing unsolicited assistance is a big red flag and can land the member in trouble. 

Another cause for concern is the failure to distinguish between loneliness and solitude.

Clearly, the MMHS and other mental health service providers must know the do’s and don’ts when reaching out to abuse survivors.

Similarly, giving an abuse survivor a taste of free but brief treatment at an expensive private centre is not the way to help, as was done by the same elderly member. The abuse survivor might not be able to afford the high fees to continue the treatmet.

MMHS needs to address the many questions its member’s actions have raised. 

Are its members competent in mental health issues? Do MMHS members have the patience, maturity, and mental and emotional capacity to deal with abuse survivors?

Do MMHS members have their own unresolved issues which inadvertently affect their judgement?

Supporting a social cause post-retirement is laudable if the retiree take the trouble to be respectful, humble, and understand the complexities of the issues.

Like the 60 members of MMHS, Rajagopal and Swamenathan identigy as senior citizens. But they are also foot soldiers who, despite the many hurdles they face, continue to raise much-needed awareness of mental health.

MMHS’s efforts over the last 30 years to de-stigmatise mental health deserve recognition.

The least the government could do is to help in the form of funding and a roof over MMHS’s head. – August 11, 2024.