Stop judging, start listening to those struggling, says Perak Health director

Perak Health Department director Datuk Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha has urged society to stop judging those struggling with mental health issues and instead listen to them, offering support instead of distancing. In his speech at the national-level World Self-harm Prevention Day event, he emphasized the importance of changing society's approach from judging to understanding and supporting those experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts.

He stressed that suicide is a complex public health issue influenced by psychological, social, and environmental factors, but can be prevented through early detection, family and community support, and access to appropriate interventions. The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 revealed a significant increase in depression prevalence among adults from 2.3% in 2019 to 4.6% in 2023.

Approximately half of these individuals also reported having thoughts of self-harm or feeling like they would be better off dead. Children, too, are not immune to mental health problems, with one in six experiencing mental health issues. The rising burden of mental health problems has been accompanied by an increase in suicide deaths, with the number of cases rising from 609 in 2019 to 1,079 in 2025.

Feisul urged society to create an environment where people felt safe to discuss their problems and seek help, emphasizing that seemingly small actions could make a difference, such as asking someone how they were doing and listening without judgment. He also highlighted the need for suicide prevention efforts to begin earlier, with Perak's department already implementing various initiatives, including mental health promotion and education, early detection, and postvention activities.

He stressed that suicide prevention requires strategic cooperation beyond the health sector and urged the public to move beyond simply increasing their knowledge and consider what they could do when someone they know is struggling.