The suicide rate in Malaysia has risen to between nine and 12 per 100,000 population compared to eight in the 1980s, signaling that mental illness must not be ignored.
The Star, a local media, reported here on Monday that a 2006 national health and morbidity survey in Malaysia showed more teenagers were suffering from mental health problems.
The Star quoted Malaysia's National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Lee Lam Thye as saying that the suicide rat was
higher among females at 12.1 percent compared to males at 10.4 percent.
Lee added that mental illness also led to the increasing suicide rate worldwide with one death every 40 seconds.
Lee said that the mentally ill should be regarded as disabled persons so that they could be accorded special privileges in employment without
being a burden to society.
He also called for the Malaysian government and non- governmental organizations to jointly promote mental health while laying out a
comprehensive program to make the community become better informed.