Khairy: Over 3,000 People Reported Depression On MySejahtera

Over a third of 9,009 respondents, who took the Minda Sihat test on MySejahtera, said they felt depressed and 45% said they were apathetic.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 – More than a third of respondents on MySejahtera have reported depression on the government app, while another 45 per cent have expressed a lack of interest and enthusiasm in their day-to-day activities.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, in a written response in Parliament on December 22, said out of 9,009 respondents who took the Minda Sihat test on MySejahtera, about 37 per cent or 3,296 respondents reported feelings of depression and sadness, while 45 per cent or 4,045 respondents said they felt apathetic, based on data as of December 15.

Khairy said this in response to Senator Ahmad Yahaya who asked for the number of depression and anxiety cases identified through MySejahtera.

The Minda Sihat screening application is a psychology measurement tool designed to measure the level of depression, anxiety, and stress of an individual, primarily public health care workers. The screening application was included in MySejahtera from August 20, 2021. The tool is used to identify people who are at risk of mental health issues.

“I would like to reiterate that these data are not a diagnosis to depression or anxiety disorders but to identify those who may have early symptoms of mental health problems and need to undergo further evaluation,” Khairy said.

The Minda Sihat self-screening initiative through MySejahtera marks an initial phase of the digitising of mental health services, which Khairy said will continue to be improved.

This includes strengthening the risk assessment process as well as establishing a referral system process to health facilities for individuals who are screened and found to be at risk for mental health problems.

The community can also get information on the psychosocial support helpline and information on mental health through the MySejahtera application that will be continuously updated from time to time.

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