Mental Health Advisory Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye proposes a Mental Well-being Index to measure and improve national mental health systematically.
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has urged the creation of a Mental Well-being Index to systematically measure and enhance the nation’s mental and emotional resilience.
The Mental Health Advisory Council member stated that Malaysia must now treat mental well-being as a national priority with structured measurement.
Lee highlighted the current absence of structured mental health gauges despite existing economic and physical health indicators.
He explained that accurate mental health data is essential for addressing one of today’s most critical social issues.
The proposed index would deliver quantifiable data across various demographics and geographic regions.
This data would guide government and agencies in resource allocation and targeted intervention planning.
The index would also enable progress tracking and policy effectiveness evaluation over time.
Lee further noted the index’s potential to raise awareness and reduce mental health stigma.
He described the index as a national benchmark for assessing mental health and informing government strategies.
Such measurement would help Malaysia align with global mental well-being promotion efforts.
Lee emphasised the necessity of multi-ministry and NGO collaboration in developing the index.
He concluded that mental health forms the fundamental basis for national strength and resilience. – Bernama
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