JOHOR BARU: Awareness of mental health must be improved among the people so it can be detected and dealt with earlier, says Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah.
“This needs to be emphasised because it can be treated and its ill effects prevented, beginning with one’s own family members and the surrounding community.
“I hope people realise that there are non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are always prepared to help those who are depressed or facing personal problems...” she said in her speech before officiating the Mind-X virtual online seminar through Facebook here yesterday in conjunction with the state level counselling month celebration.
Her Majesty also said that the prolonged movement control order period had affected all levels of society.
“While the regulations were in place to protect us from the dangers of the pandemic, they also drastically changed our daily routines and lifestyles.
“Many people lost their jobs and sources of income, leading to financial difficulties. This has posed a myriad of challenges, especially to their mental health,” said Her Majesty.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad, in his keynote address at the event, said Mind-X is a psychology and counselling service platform to help address mental health problems, which have become a greater concern following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Mind-X is an initiative for psychology and counselling services under the state government’s community and human capital sector,” he added.
Hasni said various issues have emerged, particularly related to mental health, after two years of facing the pandemic and adjusting to new norms.
He added that such conditions can have major implications on someone’s mental health, possibly leading to depression.
“According to WHO (the World Health Organisation), good health also includes mental health and not just physical health,” he said, adding that if someone’s mental health is affected, it would interfere with one’s physical system as the two are interconnected.
Hasni warned that if a mental health issue fails to be identified and treated properly, it would result in an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts, as well as actual deaths.
He said that Mind-X can provide advocacy to the whole community in need of expert services to take care of their psychological well-being.
“The post-pandemic period is the right time for the community to make the best use of this service in getting systematic treatment,” he added.
Hasni also said the state government is committed to providing various initiatives and opportunities through cooperation with various parties in efforts to build a more prosperous society.