KUCHING: Some 100 people took part in a two-day Zumba Fitness Party held last weekend as part of the Mental Health Carnival at Vivacity Megamall here.
Befrienders Kuching organising committee member and admin director Brandon Lee told New Sarawak Tribune that the two-day event recorded a total of 100 participants.
The fitness party carried out by Shake It Squad started at 10.30am on both days attracted 60 participants on Saturday and 40 today.
“The aim of this fitness party is to promote a healthy lifestyle which can lead to a healthy mind,” Lee said.
Public response to the Mental Health Carnival held at Vivacity Megamall here which concluded yesterday had been very encouraging.
“The carnival was aimed at creating awareness on mental health, suicide prevention and to promote services of Befrienders Kuching.
“On the first day of the carnival, a majority of the public was completely unaware of mental health awareness and services provided by Befrienders Kuching but they were satisfied with the carnival organisers’ efforts to promote mental health awareness and the various services provided by local organisations,” he said.
The carnival was organised in collaboration with Kota Sentosa Hospital, Sarawak Mental Health Association, Unimas Faculty of Cognitive Science and Human Development, Story Kuching, Lodge International School and TST Cognitive Development Centre with booths set up to conduct various activities for the public to participate in.
Lee added that there were a few on-stage activities such as stage performances, story-telling session and others during the three-day carnival.
Befrienders has a total of nine centres in Malaysia and Befrienders Kuching is the ninth centre which was officially established on January 10, 2018 and throughout the year, it has always collaborated with companies in organising events, but this Mental Health Carnival is its first major wholly organised event.
“In the next few months, we will be conducting more outreach programmes to schools and in public to reach out to those suffering from mental health and other issues,” he said.
Anyone having any mental health problem may contact Befrienders Kuching hotline at 082-242800 for assistance.
