DEPRESSION will be a major mental health illness among Malaysians by 2020, as more people experience increased stress levels due to work and family pressure, said Malaysian Psychiatric Association patron Lee Lam Thye.

He said the 2017 National Health and Morbidity Survey states that 29% of Malaysians suffer from depression and anxiety disorder, compared with the 12% recorded in 2011.

“Most people find it hard to deal with the problems they face at work and cannot handle the stress. It is harder when an individual faces problems posed by family members, and do not get emotional support.

“People keep their thoughts and emotions to themselves when they don’t find a way to vent their frustrations,” he said in a statement today.

He said a survey on the prevalence of depression among Malaysians has shown a 50% increase in the number of patients from 2011 to 2015.

Therefore, he said, there is a need address the illness, and develop preventive strategies and programmes on ensuring mental well-being.

He said among the measures that can be taken to prevent depression and anxiety are exercising, getting at least eight hours of sleep every night and avoiding social media at least 45 minutes before going to bed.

Lee added that according to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s Psychiatry Department, depression and anxiety are treatable if detected early. – Bernama, August 5, 2018.