Malaysia�s mental health crisis: the promise of a waqf-based solution
| DC Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| dc.contributor.author | Zhang Ali Hengchao (Ali Zhang) | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-02-25T07:56:27Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-02-25T07:56:27Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Mental health has become an increasingly urgent socioeconomic issue in Malaysia, silently eroding the nation�s well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is �a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, to realise their abilities, to learn well and work well, and to contribute to their communities� (WHO, 2022). In the context of Malaysia, mental illness is referred to as �the state of mind makes it difficult for him/her to function optimally; and this can further lead to clinically recognisable disorders/illness/disease such as depression, neuroses and psychoses� (Ministry of Health Malaysia, 2020). According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 report, approximately one million adults (aged 16 and above) in Malaysia are suffering from depression. This reflects an almost twofold increase in prevalence over just four years, rising from 2.3 per cent in 2019 to 4.6 per cent in 2023. Mental disorders can cause severe socioeconomic issues for a nation, including disruptive cognitive, emotional, and behavioural impairments that can lead to suicidal thoughts. The survey also found that 43.6 per cent of people with depressive symptoms reported suicidal thoughts or self-harm (Institute for Public Health, 2024). From an economic perspective, mental illness also imposes a significant burden. According to Chua (2020), an estimated RM14 billion in annual productivity losses stems from absenteeism, presenteeism, and staff turnover. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Zhang, A. H. (2026). Malaysia�s mental health crisis: The promise of a waqf-based solution. IF Hub, 1 (January 2026), 10-15. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2948-3611 (eISSN) | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ikr.inceif.edu.my/handle/INCEIF/4270 | |
| dc.language | English | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | en_US |
| dc.publisher | ISRA Institute | en_US |
| dc.rights | � 2026 INCEIF University | |
| dc.source | SEDONA | |
| dc.subject | Mental health crisis | en_US |
| dc.subject | Waqf-based solution | en_US |
| dc.subject | Malaysia | en_US |
| dc.title | Malaysia�s mental health crisis: the promise of a waqf-based solution | en_US |
| dc.type | Newsletter & Bulletin | en_US |
| ikr.doctype | Expert Insights | |
| ikr.topic.maintopic | Islamic wealth management | |
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