Depression To Become Second Major Cause Of Death In M'sia

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- Depression will be the second major cause of death in the country over the next 10 years, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said Tuesday.

This, he said, was based on the finding by the ministry and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the number of people committing suicide in the country had been increasing yearly.

"The high risk group are people with problems like those from broken families, people facing financial problem and women who are single parents," he told reporters at Wisma MCA, here.

Currently, the majority of the deaths in Malaysia are caused by diseases, accident and cancer, followed by depression.

Dr Chua said the number of suicides was likely to increase because not many people were willing to come forward and seek the right treatment.

"Many people have a very simplistic view on the matter," he added.

He said the ministry would be focusing on this matter under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and a plan was currently being drafted to deal with the problem.

Earlier, Dr Chua, who is one of the MCA vice-presidents, presented a working paper to the party's presidential council on the healthy living skill programme which includes subjects like mental health, financial management, career development and lifestyle.

The programme is part of the MCA's Life Long Learning campaign launched last October.

Dr Chua also said that there was no outbreak of cholera or typhoid in Perlis Penang, Kedah and Perak which were hit by the Dec 26 tsunami.

He said the ministry was on constant alert and preventive measures would be taken immediately to prevent any outbreak.

-- BERNAMA

If what Dr Chua has to say regarding depression becoming the second major cause of death in this country is true, it is time the MOH starts organising 'laughter clinics' nationwide. He should also ensure that all companies, schools, factories, hospitals, clinics, MINIstries; gather everyone each morning and have a laughing session before doing anything else. When was the last time we saw the nurses and doctors attending to our medical complaints greeting with smiles in the OPD/JPL?
There are beneficial effects in humour and laughters. The MINIster could also ensure that this CD, Laughter CD for Depression is available in all gomen hospitals and clinics for those who are depressed and even those not so. For candidiasis sufferers, laughter can also get their happy hormones(endorphins) up and correct hormonal imbalances associated. Apart from depression and candidiasis, Laughter is the "Best Medicine" for Your Heart, says this article.
The MINIster of Health is also reported to be arranging for his MCA comrades to attend Media Relations Courses. For starters he might also want to arrange for himself to attend a laughter clinic, so that the next time we see him, he might look less glum and maybe smile or even laugh a little.