Florance Sinniah, who is based in Penang, blames the movement control orders (MCOs). While unavoidable, the impact of the lockdowns on one’s emotional and mental wellbeing can be overwhelming.
“Existing mental health conditions are definitely worsening in the current climate,” she says. “We’re locked in and have no social life.
“People call us because they feel alone and need someone to talk to who can understand them.”
The 64-year-old is the founder of Sneham Malaysia, a mental health non-governmental organisation and suicide prevention hotline. Florance is also among the 100 recipients, out of 1,600 nominees, of the Star of Covid award from the international NGO World Humanitarian Drive.
“At my corporate job, I always felt like something was missing from my life,” she tells FMT. “So one day around 15 years ago, I started volunteering with the Befrienders.
“I noticed, however, that their service was always in English, which excluded a large number of people from reaching out because of the language barrier.”
This inspired her to start a non-profit that could provide resources and help in Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil and English. And so, in 2018, Sneham was born.
The Sanskrit word “sneham” means to extend friendship with care and concern, and to have a love for service.
Empathy and a listening ear
Over the course of the pandemic, the hotline has extended its operating hours from four hours a day to 24 hours.
“I knew as soon as the first MCO was announced in March last year that more people would be calling the hotline, and I was right,” Florance says. “Extending the hours was only logical.”
Due to movement restrictions, she and Sneham’s 31 other volunteers have not been able to travel to their call centre. So they recently decided to append the hotline’s existing contact numbers with personal mobile numbers, which made it easier for callers to get help.
“We just provide a listening ear and show some empathy,” Florance adds. “Then we try to offer options for their next steps.”
While the most common reason behind the calls is economic hardship, you might be surprised to learn many callers come from middle-income, rather than low-income, backgrounds.
“Financial support exists for the low-income bracket in the form of food aid or housing, but the middle bracket is often left out in the cold,” she explains, adding that it is often males who call seeking help.
“A lot of men feel pressure to provide for their families and stay strong for them. These hardships leave them feeling like they have nowhere to turn to.
“These financial problems must be tackled at the root for changes to be seen. More aid needs to be provided for middle-income families.”
Florance also wants more funding to be diverted to mental health services over the pandemic. “Prevention is key,” she says. “Early warning signs need to be heeded, and this can only be done by increasing funding and awareness of mental health disorders.
“As it stands, a lot of mental health work is behind-the-scenes. It needs to be given priority.”
Florance has always been invested in the welfare of others, and has been concerned with social issues since she was young.
“If I saw something I thought needed help or fixing, I would do it,” she laughs. “I was always very proactive. I had to get involved.”
Born in Perak, her mother worked as a rubber tapper while her father managed the plantation.
Her dad placed great importance on education, a trait Florance inherited – she completed a master’s degree in psychology and human resources before pursuing a PhD in business management, all while working and raising four children.
“I couldn’t have done it without my mum’s help. She made it possible for me by watching the kids while I had to work or study,” Florance says.
She cites her father as her greatest role model and inspiration. “Dad was always socially conscious and cared deeply about the community. He used to tell me that life is not just about us, it’s about the people that surround us too.”
Florance clearly lives by her father’s message. Now retired, she spends her time giving back to the community, be it through Sneham or by speaking on suicide prevention in workplaces and educational institutions.
“I love what I do,” Florance says. “My work is emotionally fulfilling – it keeps me happy, mentally and physically, and makes me feel complete.”
If you are in need of a listening ear, contact Sneham Malaysia at 1800-22-5757 (toll-free). They can also be reached by calling or sending a WhatsApp message to 010-2005722.