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This Spotlight is sponsored by Zurich.
More Malaysians are talking about mental health, but the real concern is how many still suffer quietly
Burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion are experiences many Malaysians can probably relate to today.
Between work, finances, family responsibilities, and the pressure of daily life, it’s easy for mental health struggles to build up quietly over time.
Even then, many people still choose to “push through” instead of seeking support early.
According to Zurich’s The Value of Mental Health report, more than four million Malaysians could be living with mental health conditions by 2030.
Image via Zurich
The impact can quietly spill over into work, family, and finances
Zurich’s report found that mental health challenges could lead to up to RM34 billion in productivity losses in Malaysia by 2030.
It also estimated that Malaysians living with mental health conditions may be 18% less likely to be employed compared to those without.
At home, the burden is just as real: Families and caregivers in Malaysia are expected to provide more than 123 million hours of unpaid mental health-related care annually by 2030.
This is all compounded by the fact that many Malaysians may still not be getting professional support early enough
According to the report, up to 80% of Malaysians dealing with mental health conditions may not be accessing professional care.
For many, getting help is not as simple as deciding to speak up. Social stigma, the difficulty of getting a diagnosis, treatment costs, gaps in continued care, and limited access to mental health specialists can all make support feel out of reach.
This is why early support matters, as doing so can make a difference in helping people stay connected to work, family, and daily life before temporary distress becomes something harder to manage.
Image via Zurich
This is why mental health support is becoming a big part of the protection conversation
While medical protection is often associated with physical illnesses, mental health support is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation.
Both Zurich MediPro Takaful and Zurich InfiniteCare Shield offer protection for five major mental illnesses, namely:
- Major depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
In addition to mental health-related coverage, these plans also provide extensive medical benefits such as hospitalisation, pre- and post-hospitalisation treatment, outpatient kidney dialysis, and cancer care.
Whether you prefer a takaful-based or conventional medical plan, you can choose a solution that fits your needs, with the added reassurance that mental health support is part of your protection.
All in all, mental health protection is about getting support before things become harder
As mental health challenges become more common, the conversation should not stop at awareness.
It should also include early support, access to care, and financial protection that helps Malaysians manage both physical and mental wellbeing.
You can read The Value of Mental Health report here.
The benefit(s) payable under eligible products are protected by PIDM up to limits.
Please refer to PIDM’s TIP brochure on zurich.com.my or pidm.gov.my.
