Mental health problems are rising around the world. In Malaysia, its prevalence among adults is estimated at 12.7%.
However, there is hope for sufferers through animal-assisted therapy, even though currently, medical science cannot prove conclusively that patients who bond with pets recover quicker from their ailments compared to those who don’t.
Dr Teoh Hsien-Jin, 42, who heads the Department of Psychology at Sunway University College, says that traditionally, schizophrenia and dementia are among the conditions considered as mental problems and require serious attention. But depression, anxiety, lack of self-esteem and self-efficacy, which is the ability to exercise control over day-to-day functions, are not mental problems and may be alleviated by contact with pets.
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