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‌Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)‌

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Together We Are Stronger, Together We Can Go Further

On Wednesday, 11 January 2023, MIASA and Alaminda (Alaminda Healthcare Berhad) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster a closer and stronger collaborations going forward. The ceremony took place at MIASA Orchid Clubhouse. This was a significant moment for both as MIASA and Alaminda have always been working together in the past years in various programmes and activities, supporting persons with mental health conditions and their caregivers, and advocating for their voices to be heard.

Present at the ceremony were Puan Anita Abu Bakar, the president and founder of MIASA, and also the chairman of NAMHA (National Advocacy for Mental Health Association); Dr Hazli Zakaria, the founder and director of Alaminda, who is also the vice president of NAMHA; and representatives from both MIASA and Alaminda. The event was also streamed live on our Facebook channel for the public to witness.

An expert forum was also held right after the signing ceremony, featuring Puan Anita and Dr Hazli as panellists, and was moderated by Dr Rethina Gunaseelan from Alaminda. During the forum discussion, the panellists weighed in their thoughts on the importance of transforming the mental health space in Malaysia and worldwide. With expertise from both sides of the mental health realm, one from the medical and mental health professional’s perspective; and the other from the perspective of a person with lived-experience in mental health; the discussion explored how mental health space could have a more holistic approach to recovery, support and advocacy. There are still groups in our society that needs help and assistance to access mental health support, treatment and care such as the B40 community, the homeless folks and the vulnerable group. Dr Hazli reiterated the importance of empowering those affected by mental health conditions with knowledge so that their voices can be heard, and they can bring change, especially the change the policies related to mental health issues in the country.

–   Puan Anita highlighted the importance of education on mental health and how it affects everyone of us. She also pointed out how it is crucial for us to focus on the recovery and growth of persons with mental health conditions, focusing on their potentials, on what they can do, and not on treatments alone, or just their limitations. Both panellists agreed that with this MOU, a closer and stronger tie can be fostered, bringing about greater impact and more significant change. This is a way to optimise on the expertise and resources that both MIASA and Alaminda are bringing into the mental health space. It also helps to ensure that both MIASA and Alaminda are ready to support and empower peers in their recovery journey by providing liberty, autonomy and supported decision-making, to ensure peers are able to live a life that is meaningful and purposeful, according to their wants and needs.

On top of working together to reduce stigma, this forged partnership will also see Alaminda supporting MIASA in running their programmes with added credibility, having volunteers who are supported by professionals. Besides that, this partnership symbolises the commitment from both MIASA and Alaminda to work together in a more structured manner. Through the feedback and support from MIASA, a more effective peer-doctor relationship can be built, ensureing that the peers wants and needs are being heard, rather  than the assumption of expertise. It is hoped that by providing the care needed by the peers through MIASA’s services, with the support from Alaminda, more will be helped and be on their journey to a holistic recovery. Dr Hazli believes that obtaining mental health services earlier can help ease the burden of the public healthcare system.

All of us at MIASA are indeed delighted with this meaningful MOU between MIASA and Alaminda. We look forward to an inclusive community where person with mental health conditions work alongside professionals in forming a more supported community, listening to each other and leaning on each other’s strengths to move towards a healthier and more resilient Malaysia. We are thankful for this partnership and we are excited to see a more fruitful and effective programmes for the greater awareness and acceptance in the mental health space in Malaysia.