Mental health in Malaysia

Mental health in Malaysia encompasses the prevalence, social and economic burden, and treatment of mental health disorders in Malaysia.

Studies have indicated a high prevalence of mental disorders among adolescents and adults in Malaysia. For example, a 2015 survey indicated that almost 40% of adults in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur met the criteria for a mental disorder. Furthermore, the prevalence of mental disorders among the Malaysian population was found to have increased three-fold between 1996 and 2015. This has been attributed to rapid cultural and lifestyle changes, which has led to an increased level of perceived stress among Malaysia's population.

2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey
A 2022 survey conducted by the Ministry of Health indicated that the prevalence of mental disorders, loneliness and suicidal ideation had increased among Malaysian adolescents, compared to when the survey was conducted in prior years.

Depression
26.9% of the adolescents met the criteria for depression. The prevalence of depression was higher among female adolescents than male adolescents, with 36.1% of females experiencing depression, compared to 17.7% of males.

Loneliness
16.2% of adolescents reporting feeling lonely "most of the time or always". The prevalence of loneliness was significantly higher among female adolescents, than male adolescents, with 20.3% of females reporting feeling lonely, compared to 11.6% of males.

Suicide

 * 13.1% of adolescents experienced suicidal ideation (18.5% of females and 7.6% of males)
 * 10% of adolescents made a suicide plan (14.3% of females and 5.7% of males)
 * 9.5% of adolescents attempted suicide (13.4% of females and 5.7% of males)

Adult mental health
A 2015 survey of 29,460 Malaysian adults found that 29.2% of the respondents met the criteria for a mental health disorder. In comparison, 10.7% of Malaysian adults met the criteria for a mental health disorder in 1996.

The prevalence of mental health disorders was 39.8% for adults living in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

Mental health services
A 2018 study found that Malaysia had ratio of 1.27 psychiatrists per 100 000 people, with the capital Kuala Lumpur having a significantly higher ratio than rural areas.

It is estimated that only 20% of Malaysians with a mental disorder will receive professional treatment. This has been attributed to social stigma about mental illness and a lack of awareness on mental health problems.