By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Oct 29: World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year.
For Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon, the day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to shine a light on mental health issues.
In Malaysia, he said, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in conjunction with World Mental Health Day has declared the month of October as the national counseling month with the aim of improving public awareness on the importance of maintaining good health and the role of counsellors and counselling services in managing health issues in society.
Dr Ting made these remarks today at the launching of the “Men’s Mental Health Forum: Silent Killer” event held at Miri Pustaka Negeri.
He also noted that counselling and suicide prevention work hand-in-hand.
“If we can assist in counselling a mental health sufferer before he or she is headed into the tunnel, we can prevent him or her from committing suicide,” he opined.
He suggested that perhaps such incidents could be prevented if warning signs are identified early.
Dr Ting emphasised the crucial role and function of counsellors and counselling services as a matter of importance for the wider community.
“I hope that counselling services can be improved and fully utilised by the local community,” he said, adding that he believed that today’s forum could provide added value and useful information to the public.
Also present were Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong and Sarawak director for the National Population and Family Develooment Board (NPFDB) Chai Cheng Ho. — DayakDaily
