Do more to help patients suffering from depression

I read about the expatriate who smothered his son to death (“Belgian expat gets five years’ jail for killing son, 5”; Aug 23) with sadness.

Most of the friends I discussed this case with felt that the sentence was relatively lenient for a life lost. I felt sorry for the father, as he was suffering from a psychiatric illness and did not seek medical assistance.

To have a major depressive disorder, one must be experiencing depressive symptoms almost every day for at least two weeks.

These symptoms are also more intense than the normal mood fluctuations all of us experience in daily life.

The symptoms include feelings of worthlessness, a diminished interest in regular activities, a depressed mood most of the day with possible agitated outbursts, significant unintentional weight loss or gain, and either insomnia or excessive sleep.

Some of my friends tended to conclude that people suffering from depression can be self-cured. This is impossible to achieve without medical help and extensive counselling.

It is not a case of just saying: “Be brave, go through life’s problems with your head up” or “Come on, cheer up and relax”.

Psychiatrists could prescribe medication, while psychologists may use their sessions with mentally ill patients to find possibilities of a cure.

There is also a stigma in our culture when someone mentions that he has appointments with a psychiatrist or psychologist.

During this period of mental illness, it is important that patients receive love and emotional care from their family, friends and colleagues. It is more difficult, however, if one chooses not to disclose one’s condition.

Most of us may feel ashamed of such an illness; some maintain a prolonged silence, which worsens the condition.

As the road to recovery is a long one, our Government should permit more use of Medisave for such visits to authorised clinics. The financial relief would also reduce the burden on patients and their families.

With stronger competition in our economy, there would be more chance of falling into mental fatigue.

More awareness of depression-related issues and feasible solutions made easily available, with full privacy, are required.

As for the Belgian expatriate, his jail sentence will not lighten his guilt. It broke my heart to read his words carried in the report.

We must rescue such patients from their mental traps to create a more sustainable society.