By Amanda L
KUCHING, Oct 4: Mental health strain and emotional isolation among senior citizens are becoming critical community issues as young adults migrate away from home for work and higher education, says Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Kuching branch acting secretary and youth chief Cr Nicholas Wung Duk Ying.
Speaking at the official launch of the Together For Health 2.0 outreach programme at SUPP headquarters today, he urged families and local communities to look beyond basic physical health and pay greater attention to the loneliness affecting Sarawak’s ageing population.
While public awareness of physical health remains high due to the widespread availability of information and technology, he said many seniors continue to struggle quietly with “empty-nest syndrome” after their adult children leave home.
“Through the community work we have been doing, we notice that it is not only physical health that we must take care of; the mental health of an elderly person is also very important.
“As their children grow up and go out to study or work, many are left alone or with just their spouse at home,” he said.
Beyond the emotional impact of living alone, Wung said seniors also face practical barriers in maintaining their health, particularly when they need to seek routine medical care.
Referring to the International Day for Older Persons observed on Oct 1, he stressed that younger family members have an important role to play in helping seniors overcome challenges such as long waiting times at hospitals and clinics and a lack of personal transportation.
“Older people may not want to go to hospitals or clinics for simple reasons: it’s too long to wait, or nobody can pick them up.
“As younger people, we have to help them. Look out for the elderly around you, not only for their physical health but also their mental health,” he added. — DayakDaily
