Page 128 - Malaysian Journal of Health Promotion, Vol 4 (Supplementary 1) 2022

Malaysian Journal of Health Promotion, Vol 4 (Supplementary 1) 2022
14 MOH-AMM Scientific Meeting 2022 in conjunction with 23 NIH Scientific Conference Abstract Book
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rate was calculated by dividing the total number of households interviewed by the total
number of households who were eligible.
RESULTS: This study included a total of 12,107 households with 7843 eligible urban
households and 4264 eligible rural households. A total of 6260 households in urban areas
were successfully interviewed, giving a response rate of 79.8%. Meanwhile, 3702 rural
households were successfully interviewed with a response rate of 86.8% which is higher than
urban households. From 31,712 interviewed household respondents, a total of 19,400
respondents from the urban gave a response rate of 94.9% and 12,312 respondents from the
rural gave a response rate of 95.74% which was higher than urban.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This survey showed that the response rate in rural areas was
higher than in urban areas. More targeted publicity and awareness are needed in urban areas,
possibly through the engagement of the community and the use of mass and social media
measures. Increased awareness of the NHMS may result in higher response rate in urban
areas.

ID 159 LET’S TALK OR NOT TO TALK… WHAT DO MALAYSIANS DO WHEN EXPERIENCING
EMOTIONAL PRESSURE?

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Komathi Perialathan , Masitah Ahmad , Teresa Yong Sui Mien , Dr. Mohd Zabri Johari , Nor Haryati Sanusi , Dr.
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Manimaran Krishnan , Suraiya Syed Mohamed , Vanitha Subramaniam , Gunasundari Marimuthu , Dr. Affendi
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Mohd.Isa
1 Institute for Health Behavioural Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health Malaysia
2 Health Education Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic was a major global health crisis and left a huge
impact to lives of many Malaysians. The Let's TALK Minda Sihat Campaign was launched
under the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS) initiatives to encourage people to seek
support and assistance to achieve mental well -being. This study examines general public’s
help seeking behaviour during their emotional crisis and awareness on the availability of
mental health helplines.
METHODS: This is a subset analysis from a larger study on ANMS and Let’s Talk Media
Campaign Evaluation. It is a cross sectional online survey whereby a total of 1600 Malaysians
who are above 15 years old participated and out of this, 54% (871) of respondents who were
aware of the media campaign was required to complete the questionnaire.
RESULTS: The study findings indicated majority of respondents,78% will share their feelings
with others when experiencing emotional pressure, 50% stated they will seek help, and the
most trusted channels to share and seek help is family members (75%) and friends (67%).
However, around 12% of respondents answered they don’t do anything when experiencing
emotional pressure and the reasons cited are don’t like to share emotional problem with
others (53%), want to solve problems on own (48%), concerned on others may know their
problems (35%) and feeling embarrassed (34%). The findings also showed majority of
respondent (84%) are aware of helplines and nearly 50% of the them are aware of KKM Mercy
Helpline and Kasih Helpline
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: In general, findings of this study showed majority of respondents
are open to share and seek help when experiencing emotional pressure, however
discomfiture, self-consciousness, and avoidance of stigma being seen as someone with
mental health problems becomes the main barriers for some of the respondents to seek help.
Therefore, initiatives should be taken to improve public’s understanding on the importance

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