At the age of 35, I’ve lost five friends.
Out of the five, two were from accidents. One accidental. Another, self-inflicted. I am sure like many of you out there, mental health is an issue that is close to heart.
Unlike physical injuries where you see wounds, plasters, bandages and lines that indicates severity, there’s none with mental illness. No casts. No bloody gauze. No oxygen masks, breathing tubes, no matter how severe, broken, and ill one’s mind is.
Mental illness, no matter how bad and even before it kills, is almost always invisible to the eye.
And since the eyes doesn’t see what the mind doesn’t know, many judge those who are mentally ill. Sometimes, at the cost of one’s life.
Underlining the raison detre behind the Malaysian Medical Gazette’s #reachout campaign that have gained more than 3 million hits and 20 k of shares, likes, tweets and mentions on social medias at the time of writing.
While the aim was to raise public’s general awareness on the issue, we paid a special focus on the mental health of our future doctors.
In a survey conducted by studentbmj published in September 2015, 30% of 1122 medical students said they had experienced or received treatment for a mental health condition.
15% of them even considered suicide at some point during their studies.
A number that is too high, by any measure or standard.
Hence the video tribute to all medical students who face challenging times ahead, beyond the realm of medicine as they move into an uncertain future.
We would like to thank readers who have liked, shared and talked to people about the articles found within.
And those who have supported, participated and played a part in helping others’ #reachout as we work towards a more pluralistic, inclusive, caring and progressive society.
Towards a better and healthier nation, together.
#reachout
Dr. Kamal Amzan is MMG’s strategic advisor and passionate about the importance of open discourse on mental health issues among the medical fraternity. A regular columnist with The Malay Mail he can be reached via via @drkamalamzan on Twitter and facebook.com/drkamalamzan