Unseen, deadly effects of the MCO

 

With businesses closed, profits down and jobs gone, people will become frustrated, angry and even suicidal, say psychologists.

PETALING JAYA: The new movement control order, expected to last for about four weeks, will bring more than job losses, a fall in profits and the closure of businesses.

It will also bring anxiety, anger, depression, even a rise in suicides due to social isolation, and increased domestic violence, mental health experts are warning.

During last year’s MCO, a total of 266 people committed suicide from March 18 to Oct 31, an average of 30 cases a month, or one every day.

Psychologist Lihanna Borhan of International Islamic University Malaysia said mental health issues are expected to be on the rise unless effective measures are taken.

“We have to be ready. We cannot predict how bad it will be but there are likely to be cases. Even suicide and domestic abuse cases may be higher as people face anger, anxiety and depression (during the MCO),” she told FMT.

Anger may be caused by those who are isolated at home again. “A lot of ordinary folk followed SOPs but the numbers are higher than before. Frustrations will mount, anger will flare,” she said.

Lihanna said Malaysians have experienced the impact of the first MCO in 2020 and are concerned about their livelihood.

“Businesses were just kicking in, starting their business again in the new year. Now, they are hit by another MCO.”

She said the uncertainties felt due to the MCO may not be healthy. Due to that, people should not be made to feel they are alone when dealing with their concerns.

She urged the government to come up with text messages that would encourage people to eat right and to carry out physical activities, among other tips.

‘There should also be a concerted effort between government agencies and NGOs. We cannot allow Befrienders to carry the burden. A lot of NGOs are involved with this and with concerted efforts a lot can be done,” she said.

However, Lihanna said the measures taken should not be seen as a political move as people may further blame politicians for the current environment, and urged NGOs to take the lead with the assistance of government agencies.

Bukit Aman Management Director Ramli Din was quoted as saying that most of the suicide cases last year were due to debts (25%), followed by family problems (24%) and marital problems (23%).

Meanwhile, relationship breakups accounted for 15%, while other factors including work pressure, hallucinations, mental problems, drugs contributed 13%.

Former Malaysian Psychological Association president Goh Chee Leong said the lack of social interaction may lead to several mental health issues, starting from anxiety and leading to depression.

“We are social beings and not being able to see friends, families and being separated from family members, causes social isolation. The lack of interaction may lead to mental problems, mainly depression and anxiety.

“There is a risk of mental health issues,” he told FMT.

Goh, the CEO of REAL Education Group said the MCO may also cause mental health issues within the business community and wage earners concerned over jobs, livelihood, and economic impact to their lives. This is after almost 800,000 Malaysians were made jobless last year.

However, Goh hopes since Malaysians have experienced the MCO last year, they would be able to cope better this time around. One of the positive impacts of the MCO is that families are assured that they are safe from Covid-19 since they will be working from home.

Last year, he said, the anxiety level may have been worse as people were experiencing the lockdown for the first time in their life.

“We also had very little understanding of the virus then,” he added. - FMT