If your loved one is feeling low, try talking to them so that they can unbottle their emotions.
Let’s TALK. A seemingly simple request that may very well pull a loved one out of the depths of despair and depression.
With depression cases on the rise during the pandemic, this is what the Let’s TALK Minda Sihat campaign aims to address.
This campaign by the Health Ministry highlights the importance of expressing emotions to alleviate mental stress. One of the key actions would be to open up and talk to someone you trust about your problems.
The TALK in this campaign refers to:
> Telling your problem to someone you trust.
> Asking for help.
> Listening without judgment.
> Knowing where to seek help.
This year’s Let's TALK Minda Sihat Media Campaign has been running since mid August and will go on till November. The campaign is in line with the Mental Health Publicity Plan under the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat.
To reach out to the public, the campaign has been implemented via various media such as electronic, digital and outdoor platforms. The Health Ministry has also engaged several prominent social media influencers to help promote the campaign messages.
The campaign intends to reach 22 million Malaysians and it is estimated that it has reached out to 16.6 million people thus far. The campaign hopes to encourage people to express their feelings to ease their emotional pressure and to seek mental health support and help in achieving mental wellbeing.
If you are under any emotional pressure, it is important to identify who you can trust – someone whom you can open up to about your problem comfortably. The person may be your partner, parents, siblings, colleagues, friends, support groups, an NGO personnel, or even mental health support helplines.
It is important to express your feelings to those you trust instead of bottling up your emotions, which affects mental wellbeing if prolonged. Try to understand your feelings, get emotional support and identify what action can be taken to make yourself feel better. Remember that to seek help in itself is a courageous act.
We are all part of the support system for our loved ones. Hence, it is significant to empathise someone who needs help and listen to them without judgement.
When someone is expressing emotions and thoughts, stay connected with them, give hope and moral support, and encourage them to seek professional mental health help if needed.
The Let’s TALK Minda Sihat Media Campaign and Mental Health Strategic Plan (2020-2025) was launched by Health Minister YB Khairy Jamaluddin on Oct 10 via MOH's official Facebook page.
The Facebook Live event launch was held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day 2021, which is celebrated on Oct 10 every year.
For psychosocial support assistance services, contact the KKM-Mercy Malaysia psychosocial support helpline (03-2935 9935), The Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929) or Talian Kasih (15999).
For more information on mental health issues, go to Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat, www.mindasihatkkm.com, www.reachout.my or the Health Ministry official portal.
