SIBU: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government and private sectors are urged to join efforts in holding more mental health awareness talks or courses in different community so as to heighten the public awareness of the issue.
In making the call, Cr Ling Hua Wee said holding more community mental health care awareness talks or courses will allow more people to be aware of and have a better understanding about their own mental health conditions.
“This will also allow lessons by the people to learn on to take good care of our own mental health effectively, an item which is always being neglected by everyone.
“We have to admit that the society and the technology are getting more and more advanced, but at the same time it also causes nervousness and competitiveness to our life. Every one of us more or less will feel mental pressure to our lives, no matter you are the employees or employers, families, students, even housewives and leaders as well as others.
“Everyone has their pressure which will cause their mental likeness and lastly affected their own health,” he stated when officiating at the Community Mental Health Literacy organised jointly by Sibu Mental Health Association (SMHA) and Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) of Jalan Merdeka, Jalan Oya, Jalan Berjaya and Pearl Garden held at Catholic High School here yesterday.
Ling was representing the Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Michael Tiang Ming Tee as guest of honour for the event partaken by about 200 students.
According to him, a group or a gang no matter where they are, this includes within the family, need more communication with each other to share their emotion, pressure, happiness, or sadness.
“During the appointment of councillors, I knew we will face all kind of challenges, but we work and to solve the problems together,” he said.
On the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused a huge effect, he pointed out Sarawak government had made a speedy move in providing vaccinations to all eligible Sarawakians.
Likewise, he said Malaysia government had also provided all kinds of services to the people.
He also said the number of mental illness had grown from 10.7 per cent in 1996 to 29.2 per cent in 2015.
“We can imagine one out of three around us might have at least minor mental illness,” Ling added.
Meanwhile, chairman for both SMHA and JKKK of Jalan Merdeka, Jalan Oya, Jalan Berjaya and Pearl Garden Kapitan So Teck Kee said similar courses had were successfully conducted for private corporation and civil service recently.
He said the next course of similar kind will be organised by JKKK of Jalan Brooke Drive to be held at the premises of Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry for both the public and community leaders on Aug 27 from 2pm to 6pm.
Tiang will be present to officiate at the event, he added.
