| Azaraimy HH |
THE issue of mental health is a worrying global trend. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people with mental health disturbance is increasing globally, and Brunei Darussalam is not an exception.
In 2012, the Ministry of Health (MoH) stated that 11,000 people were registered under its mental health services, meaning that 2.75 per cent of Bruneians are living with mental health problems.
The ministry said that this number is expected to increase, and that it is probable that there are many unreported cases.
It added that in the case of Brunei, mental health issues carry a heavy social stigma, causing sufferers to feel reluctant to seek remedial help or share their problem out of fear of being discriminated against. The ministry additionally noted that this negative perception of the problem among society is probably caused by inadequate understanding on mental health, with the public associating mental health problems with lunacy.
Various efforts have been initiated by the ministry to tackle the issue and raise public awareness on mental health problems and the well-being of sufferers, including the ‘Mind Your Mind’ campaign by staff from the Psychiatric Department of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital; psychology experts from the ministry’s Health Services Department and Medical Services Department; occupation therapy experts and social medical workers from RIPAS Hospital; as well as officers from the Health Promotion Centre and volunteers from the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences of Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
The campaign, into its fifth year this year, was recently organised by the Health Promotion Centre and held at Petani Mall, Tutong for two days from August 25-26.
Various activities were carried out such as a mental health exhibition, quizzes, a ‘drink with experts’ session, as well as a 3km ‘Towards Change’ walkathon.
Among its objectives were to increase public awareness on the importance of understanding mental health problems; promoting the services provided by the MoH with regard to the issue; countering the negative perception of mental health; reducing the social stigma associated with mental health problems in Brunei Darussalam; and to create a conducive platform for the Tutong community to access proper mental healthcare and help.