Financial, mental distress behind rising family tragedies, MMA says

 

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) called for an urgent "whole-of-society action" against increasing family tragedies, warning that financial hardships and unaddressed mental health issues are fuelling suicide and violence within the community.

MMA president Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo described recent instances of family tragedies as a stark reminder of a wider and worrying trend of rising suicides and severe psychological distress, particularly among working-age individuals grappling with intense economic and social pressures.

“From our front-line experience, doctors are increasingly seeing the impact of job loss, overwhelming debt, the inability to provide for one’s family, and a deep sense of hopelessness presenting as depression, anxiety, family conflict and, in the worst cases, suicidality,” he said in a statement today.

Thirunavukarasu (above) also noted that only a fraction of an individual's well-being is determined within healthcare institutions, as roughly 40 percent of mental wellness is shaped by socio-economic conditions - such as income security, housing, food security, education and safe communities.

“When these basic needs are not secure, mental health can deteriorate rapidly, often long before a person seeks professional help.

“Socio-economic policy is therefore, in effect, health policy,” he added.

The statement follows a shocking incident earlier this week in Kuantan, Pahang, where five family members were found dead in their house in an alleged murder-suicide.

According to Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman, initial investigations indicated that financial difficulties may have been the root cause behind the tragedy.

Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman

The case is currently being probed under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

More needs to be done

While acknowledging the government's efforts to introduce targeted subsidies and intensify poverty-eradication programmes, Thirunavukarasu said more must be done to support families who continue to struggle despite these measures.

“Our concern as doctors is what happens when families still cannot meet their most basic needs despite these measures - when there is insufficient income for food, rent, children’s schooling or essential medicines.

"In such situations, the strain on mental health and family relationships can become overwhelming and may contribute to acts of extreme desperation.

“Preventing such tragedies requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response. There must be closer coordination between the health, finance, economy, education and social welfare sectors so that severe psychological distress and suicide are recognised not only as medical issues but also as outcomes shaped by socio-economic realities,” he said.

The MMA president also urged for stronger social welfare outreach to proactively identify affected households, including for mental health screenings and clear referral pathways, to be embedded within such outreach efforts.

Stigma-free mental healthcare

Meanwhile, on a healthcare level, Thirunavukarasu stressed that stigma-free mental healthcare should be made more accessible by incorporating routine distress screening, shorter referral pathways to psychologists and psychiatrists, and wider use of tele-counselling services.

He also added that ethical media coverage is crucial to prevent sensationalism and minimise the risk of copycat acts, while ensuring that the public is consistently guided towards available crisis helplines and support services.

Thirunavukarasu said MMA stands ready to work with the government, welfare agencies, civil society and community leaders to address the deeper roots of such tragedies.

“Stabilising incomes, ensuring food and housing security, and strengthening social protection are not merely economic objectives - they are essential health interventions that can save lives and protect families.

“As doctors, we treat illness. As a nation, we must prevent despair,” he added. - Mkini