Together We Create Mental Health Awareness

 

In today's fast-paced business world, do we truly take care of our mental well-being ?

Mental health is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make a decision, build relationships and shape our world. Good mental health allows us to lead fulfilling lives, cope with the daily stresses of life, and contribute to society. The mental health issues has been ubiquitous over the years, especially among the adolescent in Malaysia.

According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of mental disorders in Malaysia is estimated to be around 29%. In addition, suicide rates in Malaysia have been on the rise, with an estimated 7 people taking their own lives every day.

Depression and anxiety are the most common mental illnesses in Malaysia, with around 4% of the population suffering from depression and 3.5% suffering from anxiety.

Raising awareness reduces the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and seeking treatment. Without treatment, mental health disorders can reach a crisis point. As the World Health Organization states, “there is no health without mental health.”

So what can you do? In this blog post, we’ll walk you through myriad strategies for raising awareness for mental health.

Educate community about Mental Health Knowledge  

One of the way to promote mental health awareness is must have a knowledge about mental health, make time for learn about the signs of mental health, learn about common mental health condition, signs of burnout, and how to handle the symptoms bay yourself when the symptoms appeared. Identify the causes of depression, it could be negative life event or stress, family history, genes and serious medical illness. It will make yourself be alert about the mental health and we can share the knowledge, it will help others deal with mental illness in the same time it’s help them to know the signs of the mental symptoms to warning them self before it late to go for the mental therapy. Community mental health education can help to reduce stigma surrounding mental health conditions and promote a positive mental health environment. 

Spread Awareness through Social Media

Social media platforms have been essential and effective tool in  creating awareness, supporting mental health campaigns and giving professionals in healthcare. Lately, social media instruments such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter are super fast effective in spreading news to worldwide. Users of social media have the ability to form communities around a subject and push supporters to take action. This is accomplished via disseminating images, infographic, tales, and films in order to promote awareness and facilitate conversation of mental health. Moreover, sharing informational resources, personal narratives, self care advice and link for getting guidance is the effective strategies. By utilizing social media campaigns and online discussion boards, the digital landscape may be used to expand mental health awareness and foster an international conversation that cuts beyond national boundaries. The influence of mental health information can be substantially enhanced by working with influencers, mental health experts, and organizations. Promoting campaigns, boosting participation, and fostering meaningful conversations can all be achieved by collaborating with people or organizations who have a large following and a solid reputation in the mental health field. Social media platforms have the potential to engage a large audience, spread awareness and increase message intensity of mental health.

Hearten Kind and Non-Judgement Communication

Educate community on how to communicate kindly because the words we use shapes how we see the world and ourselves.  The words we choose and the meanings we attach to them influence our decisions, beliefs, and well-being. Moreover, it is vital to Support loved ones who might be struggling with their mental health by listening without judgment and offering encouragement. Creating an atmosphere where individuals feel safe to discuss their mental health can lead to positive outcomes, such as better coping mechanisms and lessening of the symptoms associated with mental illness.  By normalizing kind language and honest discussion, we can help create a supportive environment and promote mental health awareness.

Incorporate Mental Health Awareness Programs and Therapy

Wellness Programs can significantly promote mental health awareness by incorporating mental health screening initiatives. Implementing regular check-ins to assess employees' mental well-being can identify potential issues early on. These screenings may include confidential surveys, workshops, or access to mental health resources. By proactively addressing mental health conditions, companies demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being, creating a supportive atmosphere in workplace. Launching mental awareness campaign, webinar and seminar during May month which is known as Mental Health Awareness Month in order to spread the importance of mental health. Normalizing mental health discussions reduces stigma, fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable seeking assistance. This approach not only enhances individual resilience but also contributes to a more compassionate and productive work environment, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization. Furthermore, community-based initiatives could be established to provide support for individuals with mental illness and their families. This could involve setting up support groups or peer-to-peer counseling services in local communities. Such initiatives would not only provide much-needed emotional support but also help to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness by promoting understanding and empathy.

Encourage Self-Care and Healthy Lifestyle

Fostering a culture that encourages self-care and  healthy well-being comes out as a crucial tactic in the fight to raise awareness of mental health issues. Beyond the conventional separation of physical and mental well-being, there is an essential underlying relationship between these factors and mental health. When it comes to spreading knowledge about the significant positive effects of self-care behavior on mental health, education plays a leading role, with schools, community organizations, and health care providers all contributing significantly. Attending workshops and seminars can provide people with useful skills that will enable them to incorporate self-care into their everyday routines. When companies adopt work-life policies that promote mental health services, empower employees to prioritize their well-being, and foster an environment where these policies are offered, the workplace becomes a significant arena for change. Furthermore, promoting healthy lifestyle habits like proper sleep hygiene, exercise, nutrition and regularly evaluating the work culture environment should be the mental health checklist. The eradication of social stigma surrounding mental health and the promotion of an understanding culture result from normalizing discussions about self-care in various contexts. Community-based programs, both virtual and physical, support the message by offering a forum for exchanging self-care techniques and experiences. In the end, by promoting self-care and overall well being as crucial elements of mental health, we help to create a culture that appreciates and gives priority to holistic well-being, enabling people to meet obstacles in life with fortitude, compassion, and a dedication to maintaining their mental health.

Integrate Mental Health Care into Primary Health Care

It is important to integrate mental health care into primary healthcare services. This would involve training healthcare providers on how to identify and treat common mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. There's should be psychiatrist and advanced psychiatrist nurse supporting each clinic and hospitals. By integrating mental health care into primary healthcare services, individuals with mental illness can receive timely treatment without having to visit a separate mental health facility.

Mental health can be challenging to deal with. By implementing this myriad strategies together can create a more mentally healthy world where individuals feel supported and empowered to prioritize own well being,  we can help improve the lives of millions of people. Mental Health Matters, Let's Shatter the Silence !

"Mental Health is not a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going " - Noam Shpancer, Psychologist.

Created by : USM JUE 200 (GROUP AI)  2023/2024

                    Raajeswary  Thanimalai   22200717

                    Mohammad Hanifzam Bin Ahmad Kamal  JG/12548/22

                    Mohamad Ridzuan bin mohd noor@noori  JK/14067/21

                    Norsila binti Jamaharee  JK/14177/22

                    Mohamad Izhat Hapizi bin Ab Manaf   JG/12540/22

                    Jogrey anak edmund minit   JM/13837/22