By Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 30: Sarawak’s community mental health volunteers are helping to fill a long-standing service gap by reaching vulnerable individuals who may not know where to seek help, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin said.
Speaking at the Project Sayang Community Mental Health Champion graduation ceremony at Sentosa Hospital today, he said the initiative strengthens early intervention, awareness and emotional support within local neighbourhoods by equipping trained volunteers to recognise distress and offer immediate assistance.
Yap also announced a RM10,000 grant to support the Mental Health Association of Sarawak’s programmes next year and said the State government continues to step in where federal allocations fall short.
At the same time, he urged the public to practise empathy and to understand the importance of listening when individuals come forward with their struggles.
“Your support may be the difference between silence and recovery for someone who needs help. Our community often encounters individuals who struggle in silence. Your presence gives them hope, dignity and a pathway to recovery,” he said.
He also commended the Mental Health Association of Sarawak and Hospital Sentosa for their leadership in expanding outreach, rehabilitation, crisis support and public education, noting that mental health care has historically received less attention than other medical fields.
The ceremony also celebrated 30 new Community Mental Health Champions trained under Project Sayang, with another batch planned to expand grassroots mental health support across the State. — DayakDaily
