A yoga session held during the event to mark World Mental Health Day 2023. — Photos: MARIA IBRAHIM/The Star
MENTAL health matters are gaining traction nationwide.
In conjunction with World Mental Health Day, the Selangor Mental Health Association (SMHA) organised a day filled with activities at a mall in Petaling Jaya to promote mental health awareness and well-being.
The theme this year was “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right.”
SMHA president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said that in Malaysia, the battle for mental health awareness was not so much about violation of human rights as it was about the negative way mental illness was perceived in society, leading to sufferers being shunned.
“There are cases of people suffering from mental illnesses who are facing stigma at home and discrimination at workplaces.
Dr Andrew says the Malaysian government must build a resilient community which can face difficulties.“We need to find a way to deal with this issue,” he said.
Dr Andrew said the World Health Organisation reported that during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a 25% increase in depression and anxiety.
“We find that this was due to the social isolation, loneliness and financial insecurities brought on by the pandemic.
“Although the pandemic is now on the downward trend, some mental health factors continue to linger.
“There is still a high number of depression and anxiety cases today,” he said.
A good thing that has come out of it, he noted, was that the adversity had pushed the governments around the world to do something about mental health matters.
“It is not just about addressing the situation at hand but also about being prepared to face a similar global crises in the future.
“The Malaysian government must build a resilient community which can face difficulties,” he added.
Dr Andrew said much of the work and services of the association were centred in the rural areas in order to reach out to isolated B40 groups.
These people were the most affected during the pandemic due to poor living conditions and financial constraints, among other issues, he said.
He also said physical and mental health were related.
“There is no health without mental health.
“Not all physical health issues lead to mental health deterioration but we know certain physical conditions do, like chronic pain, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
“Meanwhile, people with pre-existing mental health conditions somehow do not get the appropriate physical care because they do not get the necessary support.
“The lifespan of a person with psychosocial disorder is shorter than those without any mental problems.
“Clearly, mental health does affect people physically,” he said.
SMHA is a non-profit non governmental organisation run by a group of volunteers who believe in the benefits of having good mental health.
Their objective is to make sure everyone gets the help they need on their journey to better mental health.
The event was supported by Re:Life Mental Health Clinic and Eve Psycho-social Wellness Centre.
The highlights were talks by Dr Andrew, SMHA vice-president Poh Kim Pheng and child psychologist Jay Shangkari.
Dr Andrew, who is also a consultant psychiatrist, spoke about depression among the elderly.
Poh, who has two children suffering from schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder in adulthood, shared her experience caring for them.
Jay spoke on early childhood mental health.
Information and promotional booths were also set up at the event while cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator demonstrations were held.
Visitors also enjoyed an art therapy session as well as yoga and fitness activities.
