CAP president SM Mohamed Idris advised Malaysians to change their current lifestyle of chasing after material wealth, academic and career excellence that have led to many facing mental issues.
“Various contributing factors have been identified – financial difficulties, failure to meet expectations, pressure from surrounding environment, negative media influence, workplace pressures and even poor parenting.
“But what is the root cause of these factors? Is it not the ever increasing materialistic and performance oriented lifestyle?” Idris said in a statement today.
He said parents were pushing their children to do well in school, signing them up for pre-school even when they are “barely out of diapers”; and the pressure to score As continues throughout their school lives, giving them little time to relax and play outdoors.
He said those who drop out and are unable to live up to expectations in a society that glorified high achievers could face social and mental health issues.
Meanwhile, adults were pressured to perform at work to meet targets, earn performance-based rewards and bonuses, have their own cars, homes with plush furnishings, smart gadgets, and to be able to afford annual holidays.
Idris said as incomes increased, people’s desire for upgrades and more expensive things also increased, driving them towards debts.
He cited a recent study by the Manulife Investor Sentiment index (MISI) that found Malaysians having the highest debts in Asia – more than double the regional average of 33% – due to their living expenses (60%), rental payments (44%) and children’s education (37%).
“This survey revealed worrying levels of debt, which obviously would lead to all kinds of mental problems,” he said.
Without a built-in spiritual buffer, Idris said people pre-occupied with materialism would also find it harder to cope with stress and pressure.
He said people should take time to enjoy simple things in life and cut down meaningless consumption, like the use of smart gadgets.
“Cut the addiction to gadgets and spend more time talking to your family, go for outdoor activities, read and help the less fortunate.
“Be aware of the menace of advertising where you are just a target for consumption and sales,” he said.
Setting meaningful, realistic and achievable goals that are exciting, motivating and challenging were also important in preventing mental health problems, he said.
He also proposed that the education system cut down on the workload and competition for children, by rewarding students for their efforts and not only their results.
He said Malaysians should be taught how to cope and there should be easy access to counselling services nationwide, in both rural and urban areas.
Although the current statistics was “frightening” with Malaysia surpassing the global average of one in four based on statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Idris said it was more frightening that Malaysians were not prepared to deal with the “epidemic”.
“Mental illness is still regarded as a taboo and the illness is kept under wraps until it gets uncontrollable. Many still suffer in silence,” he said.