Thread by @AimanPsikologis

Got a call from a salesperson of insurance plan. Aku layankan aje.

After he fully explained about the benefits and claims that can be made for warded, physical illness, accident etc, he asked if I have any question.

Then the conversation become something totally different.

I asked him,

"Does this insurance cover any mental health issue?"

He was silent for a moment, before he replied,

"What do you mean by mental health issue?"

"You know, Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia etc."

I can hear his breathing in that silence though 😅

"Doesn't matter what kind of issue it is, as long as warded in the hospital, we will give the daily allowance as stated before."

"So, if warded into Psychiatric Ward? Does that count as well?"

I know he does not ready for this kind of questions, which is kinda the point here.

So far, I have not found any insurance plan in Malaysia that cover medical issue relate to mental disorder.

In fact, in the policy, there is clearly stated about the coverage is exception to issue related to mental illness.

You can claim from the insurance company if you have diabetes, heart attack, accident, amputation etc, but not for your mental health issue.

It's a big no no, and you have to pay all the cost by yourself.

And do you know how much is the cost to seek psychiatric help?

"Can the mentally ill claim insurance coverage for seeking treatment?"

That is the big question here.

With the raising issue of mental health in Malaysia right now, it saddens us to see the unfair treatment to the people with this issue.

Stigma satu hal, kos rawatan isu lagi.

What surprised me more is,

WE EVEN HAVE PET INSURANCE!

Yes, you can insure our pet's health, but not our mental health.

I'm not saying it's wrong to love our pet. I'm just asking, what is the priority here?

Is it because mental health issue is not "profitable?" No demand?

And because of the fear getting their medical record's tarnished, they choose to keep silent about their mental health issue.

As if, it's a sin to be mentally ill.

Again, the stigma.

You can have diabetes and people will sympathise with you. But not if you have Depression.

:(

The loop of struggle.

Yang sakit semakin sakit, kerana stigma dan kurangnya pilihan untuk dapatkan rawatan.

This is why mental health advocacy is not enough. We need policy changes in the higher level of the society (eg. Ministry, Insurance Company, Employer's Right)

There is no true health without mental health.

Tidak sempurna kesihatan seseorang tanpa kesihatan mentalnya.

I want to thank Lim Su Lin, a Policy Analyst from Penang Institute for her marvellous research,

"A study on improving access to mental healthcare in Malaysia."

Sekain.