#There4UMY: Normalising Conversations About Mental Health

The fear of the unknown is real – it’s affected our mental health by causing negative emotions such as anger, distress, anxiety and depression. Even before the pandemic, the National Health and Morbidity survey saw every three in 10 adults struggling from mental health issues. This makes it the second biggest health concern in Malaysia after heart disease, but why does it seem so uncommon?

The stigma towards mental health still exists on a global scale with many people experiencing negative attitudes and discrimination against their mental illnesses. In Malaysia, this is shaped by the superstitions and misconceptions ingrained in our culture.

As a result of the social stigma, most people have chosen to suffer in silence rather than seek help in such an intimidating environment. This is where you can make a difference by checking in on your family and friends and offering them a safe space to talk about their struggles.

#There4UMY Campaign

In conjunction with Suicide Prevention Week, we’ve teamed up with The Mind Faculty to provide Malaysians with tips on talking to someone who might be struggling with their mental health. Our #There4UMY campaign aims to encourage the public to pick up the phone and check in on their loved ones during this tough time.

The Mind Faculty

We understand that talking about mental health can be hard – Jade Goh, the Director of Clinical Services at The Mind Faculty, has shared her professional advice to help guide and normalize these conversations. She is continuously looking at ways to make mental health services more accessible and founded the TMF Academy Fund and the Associate Practitioner program.

The Mind Faculty is a private mental health clinic in Solaris Mont Kiara with over 20 practitioners. They offer a wide-range of psychiatric, psychological, counselling and complementary therapies.

You can find out more about The Mind Faculty and their services here.

Over the next few days, we’ll be covering how to spot the signs of depression in others and what you can do to support someone who is affected. Help us share the campaign on social media with the hashtag #There4UMY! Together we can create a more compassionate culture that empowers individuals to confidently talk about mental health.