KUCHING: The Mental Health Association of Sarawak (MHAS) has opened its first counselling centre in the state to provide counselling services to the public.
The centre will provide services to those with mental health problem to enable the healing and problem-solving process.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah had hoped that the counselling services provided by MHAS would help the public with mental health problems.
“With the opening of the counselling centre at a public location, I hope it will help to create awarenes on mental health and lessen the stigma amongst members of the public,” she said during the opening ceremony of MHAS counselling centre at Wisma Keretapi, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce here yesterday.
Fatimah added that she was glad MHAS had moved on from focusing not only on the welfare of the patient but also on preventing mental health problem.
“Prevention is better than cure and we need to engage the public in the fight against the stigma.
“We have to make it known to the public,” she said.
Meanwhile, MHAS president Dr Ismail Drahman said the counselling centre was a starting point for the association to provide mental health services to the public.
“Although we may be lacking of expert volunteers and facilities, we will do our best to help the public. In the future, we plan to open another counselling centre at other divisions in the state,” he added.
The counselling services which is available in English, Malay and Mandarin is open to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8.30am to 1pm.
Members of the public who wish to get the counselling services should make an appointment by calling MHAS at 082-231459.
