PENANG celebrated the World Mental Health Day today in a simple and yet meaningful ceremony by launching the ‘Someone For Each One’ (SFEO) programme at the Penang Harmony Centre.
The SFEO project, an initiative by Pertubuhan Wanita Mutiara (PWM) in collaboration with Penang Association of Counsellors & Psychologist (PACP), is basically to establish a support system manned by professionals and trained volunteers to provide help to people with emotional and other mental health challenges.
PWM president Tan Lean Kee, who is also the wife of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, said the SFEO came about when they saw the need to urgently address the prevalence of mental health issues in our society that have been rising over the last 10 years.
“PWM has seen, heard or read of the effects and devastation caused by mental health issues in individuals, young or old, in families, schools or universities and workplace,” said Tan, who heads PWM whose members comprise wives of state assemblymen and Members of Parliaments, in her speech.
“We’re especially concerned with young lives cut short, struggling with internet addiction or substance abuse, women living in trauma and fear, cancer patient living in anxiety and devoid of hope and the load shouldered by parents with special needs children.
“PWM therefore decided to approach like-minded individuals and trained professional in mental health to work together to form a support system for people battling with emotional and mental health issues. That was how this initiative come about.”
Tan also thanked PACP president A.E. Margarita Malayapillay and her team and child and family psychiatrist Datuk Dr Lai Fong Hwa among others for driving the initiative and the attendees, including NGOs, for their participation.
Margarita said PACP is happy to partner with PWM in the outreach effort through networking as the world is facing unprecedented challenges.
“Research shows that the impact of Covid-19 has contributed to increasing stress, anxiety and depression across the board,” Margarita said in her speech.
“Hence, the SFEO initiative is a timely project to enable and empower individuals and families in understanding and coping with mental health issues through training and support.
“Collaborating with NGOs that are already working in the community will synergise efforts and provide avenues for those who need support as well as for those who would like to help reach out.
“We plan to make this project a practical reality in the community by leveraging the skills, expertise and goodwill that exists in the community.”
Chow expressed his appreciation to both PWM and PACP for their noble efforts to help those who require assistance and help in these difficult times.
“The increasing demands at the workplace, family commitments, the seemingly never-ending rat race in school and university lead to the strain we face in our daily lives.
“This will affect our mental well-being and for the less resilient among us, mental breakdown will happen sooner or later,” Chow said in his address before launching the programme.
He said it was very alarming that the 2017 National Health and Morbidity survey revealed that 29% of Malaysians suffer from depression and anxiety disorder compared to just 12% in 2011.
The SFEO project, Chow added, was also in line with the Penang2030 vision as one of the components focuses on family unit.
He said SFEO would be a patient’s pillar of strength so they need not walk this physically and emotionally demanding journey by themselves.
Chow ended his speech by quoting the title of Liverpool’s famous song when he said: “For mental health sufferers known or unknown among us, let it be known that “You Will Never Walk Alone!”
Dr Lai said the SFEO initiative would focus on three sections, namely family, skills training and supporting services.
Elaborating on the sections, he said they would hold positive parenting programmes using proven American-based programme, for parents with normal children and special needs children.
Those without skills but want to become a volunteer would be provided basic counselling training and for those who already know basic skills, they would be given further specialist training.
He said they would also look into funding some of the services provided by volunteers, like giving them some form of allowance and petrol money.
For details, contact SFCO secretariat (Archana Chandrasekaran – 016-4327758).
Also present were Chong Eng, the state executive councillor in charge of Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, Penang Hospital Psychiatric Department head Dr Siti Norashiah, D’Home Mental Health Association president Datuk Leslie Lee and Penang Harmony Centre manager Rachel Teh.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhammad