The minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, said the centre would coordinate all efforts effectively so that more people could come forward to seek help and treatment for their mental health problems.
“Lack of awareness and social stigma in mental health have prevented affected individuals from coming forward for help, treatment or intervention, and this is very unfortunate,” he said in his speech at the 2021 National Youth Convention + Asean ConnectKBK held online today.
He added that upon realising the importance of addressing mental health problems, the ministry launched the National Mental Health Strategic Plan 2020–2025 on Oct 10, which is a long-term policy to improve the country’s mental health services.
The strategic plan outlines eight key areas, including improving governance and regulatory framework, strengthening the mental health control system, ensuring the availability and accessibility of comprehensive and quality mental health services, and strengthening mental health resources.
It also includes enhancement of cross-sectoral cooperation, promotion of mental well-being and health, strengthening preparedness during emergencies, crises and disasters, as well as suicide prevention.
Khairy said most mental health problems faced by youths and teenagers were influenced by social factors such as bullying as well as risky behaviour, substance abuse, low self-esteem, high expectation, anxiety and depression.
He said his ministry was very concerned over the issue of mental health among youths.
As such, it has also sought the cooperation of agencies and non-governmental organisations to address the issue.
Among the initiatives the ministry has implemented are the Healthy Minds School Programme, Healthy Students Programme and Let’s TALK Healthy Minds. It is also working with the youth and sports ministry to promote mental health.
Meanwhile, Green Ribbon Group co-founder Raja Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan Sultan Abdullah said mental health issues needed to be tackled in early childhood and adolescence to ensure resiliency in the adult years.
Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan, who is also president of the social enterprise that aims to raise mental health awareness, said she believed that the outcome of resiliency was productivity. She said productivity would lead to a sense of joy and fulfilment.
“Mental health is the foundation that we must get right. To our youths, our future leaders, the essence of my message today is to be bold; do not be afraid of the unknown.
“If the pandemic (Covid-19) has taught us anything, it is that things will pick up eventually,” she said in her keynote address delivered virtually at the convention.
According to media reports, Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan has been appointed the international patron for World Mental Health Day, after accepting an invitation from the World Federation for Mental Health.