Stress, depression can lead to tragedy: Expert warns after Johor incident
Expert outlined key signs of depression that should prompt action.
SHAH ALAM - A recent tragedy in Johor, where a young child lost its life at the hands of its mother, has cast a spotlight on the importance of mental health awareness.
Experts warned that excessive stress, depression, and economic hardship can lead individuals to act impulsively, with devastating consequences.
Counselling psychologist and Associate Professor at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) Dr Fauziah Mohd Saad stressed the link between mental well-being and self-control.
"Emotional fatigue, stress, and life pressures can overwhelm individuals, causing them to lose control of their emotions and potentially harm themselves or others," she told Sinar yesterday.
Fauziah outlined key signs of depression that should prompt action: persistent sadness, hopelessness, changes in appetite or sleep patterns lasting for two weeks or more.
She urged family members and friends to seek professional help from mental health experts if these signs are observed.
In the incident in Pasir Gudang, an 18-month-old boy was killed, believed to have been slit in the neck by his mother.
Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said the incident occurred at 1.30pm and preliminary investigations found that the 32-year-old woman had also sent a photo of the child covered in blood to her husband via WhatsApp.
Following the Johor incident, Fauziah stressed the crucial role of strong support networks.
"Family and close friends can play a vital role in preventing tragedies.
"By offering emotional support and listening attentively to someone struggling, they can take prompt action and encourage them to seek help," she added.
Fauziah also recommended stress-management techniques like meditation and exercise as tools for identifying and addressing the root causes of emotional distress.