Kuala Lumpur, 11 October 2023 – The Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA), a leading advocate for mental health in Malaysia, celebrated World Mental Health Day 2023 with a resounding call to recognize “Mental Health as a Universal Human Right.” The event took place at the Sime Darby Convention Centre, and witnessed a series of impactful announcements and initiatives.
The event brought together key figures, including YSD Chairman Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, MIASA Founding President Puan Anita Abu Bakar, YSD Chief Executive Officer Dr Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin, OKU Sentral President Datuk (Dr) Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi, Celebrity Mental Health Advocate Dato’ Aaron Aziz, and representatives from various civil society organisations.
Puan Anita, President and Founder of MIASA, delivered a powerful message during the event, emphasizing the critical importance of considering mental health as a fundamental human right, just like other basic rights such as education, housing, food, healthcare and many more. These calls are consistent with the rights-based approach that are aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Her words resonated deeply with the audience and set the tone for a day dedicated to promoting awareness and support for those struggling with their mental health.
Among the efforts that were highlighted in Puan Anita’s remarks included MIASA’s ongoing efforts to support those in crisis through the MIASA 24/7 Crisis Helpline service (1-800-180066) in collaboration and with funding from Yayasan Sime Darby. Figures highlighted included having received over 3,000 calls through the first three quarters of 2023 alone, in addition to having trained over 180 members of the public to be crisis responders since the helpline’s humble beginnings in 2020.
One of the significant highlights of the event was the announcement of the text-based MIASA 24/7 Crisis Helpline which is an initiative made possible with the support of Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), the supporting partner for MIASA. This partnership has enhanced MIASA’s efforts to provide timely and accessible mental health support to individuals in crisis. The value and function of the newly launched text-based service 03-7965-6088 that has been integrated into MIASA’s Crisis Team operations was also highlighted, namely by expanding the ways in which different people can reach out for support and receive immediate assistance during times of distress, ensuring that help may simply be a text away.
Tunku Imran, in his remarks, called for unity in creating a world where mental health is cherished, protected, and celebrated by all. He stated, “Mental health is not a mere privilege but a fundamental right for every individual, irrespective of their background, age, or circumstances. Echoing this year’s theme of ‘Mental Health Is A Universal Human Right’, the newly improved MIASA-YSD Helpline serves as a lifeline, offering guidance, support, and a path towards recovery.”
The celebration also marked the official launch of MIASA Academy, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at advancing mental health advocacy and awareness through education. MIASA Academy will offer a diverse range of programs, including the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop, the Young Advocates for Mental Health Programme, and various mental health-related talks and workshops. This educational platform aims to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to address mental health challenges effectively both at an individual and societal level in the hope of moving the community writ large closer to the equitable mental health future that advocates in the space wish to see come to fruition.
Finally, MIASA and Yayasan Sime Darby touted further efforts in line with the aforementioned goals of expanding mental health education and knowledge by highlighting the establishment of the YSD-MIASA Scholarship programme which will award one Master’s and one PhD-level scholarship to qualified candidates with a passion for community-oriented mental health efforts. Through in-depth research and studies carried out on topics pertinent to the practice of community mental health in Malaysia, it is hoped that more data can be sought and provided to expand the body of knowledge available to policymakers and other stakeholders to better advocate for policy priorities in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for mental health peers.
The 6th anniversary of MIASA was celebrated alongside World Mental Health Day, reflecting the organization’s unwavering commitment to its mission from its past body of work while at the same time continuing to articulate a vision for mental health that extends beyond the event.
A panel discussion was also held during the celebration, exploring the theme of ‘Mental Health Is a Universal Human Right’, thus bringing home the fundamental message about the need for making mental health a priority and a human right for all.
In a world where the importance of mental health is gaining recognition, MIASA’s celebration of World Mental Health Day 2023 reinforces the idea that mental health is indeed a universal human right. By partnering with Yayasan Sime Darby, launching the Crisis Helpline, and establishing MIASA Academy as well as the YSD-MIASA Scholarship programme, the organization is taking concrete steps to make this right a reality for everyone.
