European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR DURING THIRD WAVES OF COVID-19 AMONG ADULTS IN MALAYSIA

Thin Mon Kyaw*, Lei Lei Win, Yin Moe Han, Muhamma'd Amirullah Bin Kasim, Muhammad NurHazim Bin Saharuddin, Ezuan Faiz Bin Ahmad and Noor Munira Binti Syed Anipa

ABSTRACT

Background: Globally, during COVID-19 pandemic, the state of mental health was deteriorating and the suicidal behaviour was increasing at an exponential rate. The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of Malaysian adults who have suicidal behaviour and mental health during third waves of COVID-19 pandemic, 2021. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done using online electronic platforms. Socio-demographic characteristics, level of depression, anxiety and stress (DASS) together with suicidal behaviour were accessed in the questionnaires. Results: Among 2485 respondents, almost half of the respondents (49.1%) had high risk for suicidal ideation, whereas 50.9% had low risk of suicidal ideation. Furthermore, 48.8% of the respondents had depression, 22% of them had stress and 46.9% reported for anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. Age of respondents, education level, occupational status, marital status, and were significantly associated with DASS and suicidal behaviour. Conclusion: During pandemic, this study revealed a nearly half population had high risk for suicidal ideation among the Malaysian adults. Future studies should investigate the pandemic’s impact on public mental health but also its influence on the mental health of healthcare professionals. Our results may also support the development of resilience trainings.

Keywords: Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Suicidal Behaviour, Third Waves COVID-19 pandemic.