| Faza Suraj |
THE stigma associated with having a mental disorder is something many sufferers are faced with. It can come from strangers, friends and worst still – from their own families.
This was among the messages laid out at a roadshow themed ‘Dignity in Mental Health: Psychological & Mental Health First Aid for All,’ held at the Sentral Shopping Centre in Kuala Belait, in conjunction with World Mental Health Day.
Alinah binti Haji Tamin, a Clinical Psychologist and Head of Clinical Psychology Services told the Sunday Bulletin that people who go through mental disorders such as stress, depression or anxiety may not be able to function normally in their day-to-day activities.
“If someone is really distressed, it would affect them. For example, they wouldn’t be able to sleep, which would affect their studies, work, and even their relationships with families and colleagues. Having someone who will listen and try to understand would help,” she said.
Because of the stigma, rejection of the illness is common and if it comes from family members, it has the possibility of making things worse.
Visitors read information relating to mental health disorders at the roadshow. – PHOTOS: FAZA SURAJ
A woman writes a message on a board.
“It would make the individual feel like they have nowhere to go and no place to seek help because their family – who is suppose to be the ones who help them – cannot accept their illness, which is the worst thing that could happen to a sufferer,” she added.
She noted that it was uncommon for individuals with mental disorders to approach them, because they lacked or couldn’t get the support they needed from their own family members.
“There are even teenagers who wish they have someone (such as their parents) to talk to about their problems, and convince them that they were not making things up,” she said.
Hosting events that help raise mental health awareness to educate the public is important to get rid of the stigma associated with mental health.
“Basically, stigma comes from the lack of awareness and understanding. So if the public knows more about the dangers of mental health, they can start to accept and support those who need it,” the clinical psychologist pointed out.
She explained that raising awareness of the Psychological First Aid (PFA) is the main aim of the roadshow to help intervene and help victims of mental health disorders earlier.
In a press release issued by the Clinical Psychology Services, it stated that PFA is a set of skills that anyone can use to reduce the painful range of emotions experienced by people with high stress. It further described that PFA is humane, supportive and practical assistance using non-intrusive and practical care and support.
The target audience are the professionals and the general public, so that they are able to apply the PFA skills in helping people in distress.
“The public can adapt PFA by using the steps: ‘Look, Listen and Link’. It should be available to everyone, and not just a few, so that we can maintain good health together,” the press release added.
Various activities were held with the most popular being a board where people could write messages of what they wish someone would’ve said when they were feeling down, and encourage people to open up when suffering from a mental disorder.
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