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Writer's pictureBrina L

Urban vs. Rural: Exploring the Link Between Urbanization and Mental Health Issues in Malaysia

Updated: Jun 30, 2023


Photo from New Straits Times via https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/887005/kl-putrajaya-folk-most-depressed-lot-malaysia-says-health-minister


Mental health issues affect individuals from all walks of life and can occur in any location, however studies have shown that individuals residing in urban areas are more prone to mental health issues compared to their rural counterparts.


During a session in the Dewan Rakyat, the Health Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, stated that individuals residing in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, which are Federal Territories in Malaysia, encounter higher levels of anxiety and depression. According to Dr. Zaliha, a nationwide mental health survey was conducted in 2022, screening 336,900 individuals, and the survey found that the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya have the highest percentage of people facing depression and anxiety at 70%, which attributed to the high cost of living and relationships problems with parents and peers.


Based on the data from the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, Johor also recorded a high number of individuals with mental health issues at 40%, followed by Labuan (33%), Sabah (23%), Negeri Sembilan (18%), and Perlis (16%). Selangor and Melaka both recorded 15%, while Pahang and Perak recorded 13% and 12% respectively. Less than 10% of those screened in Penang, Sarawak, Kedah, Terengganu had mental health issues, while only 1% of those screened in Kelantan experienced depression and anxiety.


According to the news article above, the causes of high depression cases in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are attributed to the high cost of living and relationship problems with parents and peers. However, the question is whether these factors are really the root cause of the high depression rates in these States.


An interesting piece of article published on NST dated 3 April 2023 highlighted that Kelantan has the lowest rate of urbanisation in Malaysia. The data from the Statistics Department’s Population and Housing Census 2020: Urban and Rural revealed that only 44.1% of Kelantanese live in urban areas, whereas Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya have 100% of their population residing in urban areas.


Is there a possibility that urbanisation is behind the rapid increased in depression cases?


Let’s examine the roots of Malaysians. The main races were communal-based, with close relationships forming the backbone of the Malays, Indians, and Chinese. There was a sense of collective oneness where each race supported and collaborated with one another regardless of biological connections. However, urbanisation changed all that. While urbanisation brought better education and job opportunities, it has also resulted in isolation through creation of competition. The sense of collectiveness has now been replaced by separate units trying to solely thrive on individual efforts. This departure from the communal structure is profound where the strong sense of collective belonging was fragmented in pursuit of a "better future" for oneself.


Take a look at the news article "The Fragmented Village" published by The Star on 26th April 2023, which describes the psychological benefits of raising a child in an extended family structure (community) where the child can experience and develop social communication skills through love, respect, empathy, turn-taking, sharing and perspective-taking, and improve their problem-solving skills through negotiation and independence. This advantage is rare in urban settings. In fact, most of the time, urbanite parents tend to instill and imprint in their children the belief that others are competitors to their future by wanting and pushing their children to excel ahead of others.


This subtle conditioning is harmful especially on the chakras or energy centers. The health of the chakras is dependent on how individuals nurture and perceive their relationships with others and life in general. When relationships are healthy, the chakras produce essential hormones to keep the body and cognitive functions in balance (yes, hormones come from the chakras and not from food). The first chakra or base chakra plays a crucial role in governing relationships with groups, including communities, which was once each race's strength due to their strong communal bonds. This is one of the reasons why the older generation could endure hardships and life's challenges without suffering from mental breakdowns easily. However, urbanisation has weakened this pillar for the younger generation. They have waning strength and energy potency to withstand the challenges ahead.


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Photo from Freepik via https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/silhouette-group-people-have-fun-top-mountain-near-tent-during-sunset_10001634.htm#from_view=detail_alsolike

As we move towards a more urbanised society, understanding the importance of fostering strong community bonds and nurturing healthy relationships is crucial for the well-being of individuals, families, and society as a whole. These values align closely with the mission statement of Heaven’s Gift, which seeks to reunite mankind and re-establish one seamless, peaceful and harmonious Earth Community that has fundamentals rooted in truth, loving collaboration and interests above self (https://www.heavensgift.org/). Cultivating close-knit communities and families can help counteract the negative effects of urbanisation and provide a nurturing environment that supports the holistic development of children. When we prioritise community building and healthy relationships, we establish a foundation of support, trust, and interconnectedness. This not only benefits individuals on a personal level, but also has a profound impact on the wider society. By creating environments where individuals feel valued, connected, and supported, we promote a sense of belonging as well as cultivating healthy mental and emotional well-being.


Final words

The issue of mental health is prevalent in Malaysia, with higher levels of anxiety and depression reported in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Johor. While high cost of living and relationship problems are often cited as the reasons for the increased depression rates in these States, the root cause could be more complex and urbanisation may be a contributing factor.


Urbanisation has brought about significant changes to the society, including a shift from communal-based living to individualistic lifestyles. This departure from the collective to individualistic structure has impacted the chakras, resulting in a decline in energy potency to withstand the challenges of modern life, leading to increased mental health issues. Hence, we must find ways to reconnect with our communal roots to create a healthier and more supportive environment for ourselves and future generations.


All in all, urbanisation exerts both collective and individual impacts on the overall well-being of individuals. As we strive to examine the issues and challenges of modern living, it is essential to also understand the concept of Yin and Yang balance to achieve harmony in our lives as the concept holds relevance in modern times, especially in a world where the pressures of urbanisation and individualism can take a toll on our mental, emotional and physical health. Join us in our next article as we delve into the effects of an imbalanced Yin and Yang lifestyle on our well-being and seeking ways to restore equilibrium for optimal health.

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Disclaimer: This article is intended exclusively for informational and educational purposes, and not for medical advice or instruction. It is based on data collected from our healing and profiling experiences, observations, inference, positive feedback received, and extensive research. Any recommendation given in this article is designed to meet the needs of a particular person given his/her health/energetic condition and circumstances. We shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this article.


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References

Sallehuddin, Q. and Harun, H.N. (2023, March 8). KL, Putrajaya folk the most depressed lot in Malaysia, says health minister. New Straits Times. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/887005/kl-putrajaya-folk-most-depressed-lot-malaysia-says-health-minister


Shah, A. and Iskandar, I.M. (2023, April 3). Kelantan has lowest rate of urbanisation. New Straits Times. https://api.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/04/895613/kelantan-has-lowest-rate-urbanisation


Amirul Ihsan, S.L. (2023, April 26). Fragmented village: How the breakdown of extended families has changed parenting. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/family/2023/04/26/the-fragmented-village


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