Mental health open day Oct 21

SIBU: The Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Sibu Hospital will organise World Mental Health Day 2023 on Oct 21, from 8am to 1pm, at the Rejang Hall and Sibu Hospital Specialist Clinic’s ground.
Organising chairman Dr Daniel Wong Teck Lung said the programme will incorporate an ‘open day’ clinic concept and is open to the public.
“Through this concept, we want to introduce the public to the mental health services provided at Sibu Hospital and how to ask for help.
“In addition, it is to promote mental health and educate the public and eliminate mental health stigma,” he said.
The event is organised with the cooperation of the Mental Health Association (MHA) Sibu Branch, the Welfare Association of the Pediatric Department of Sibu Hospital and the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Jalan Merdeka, Jalan Oya, Jalan Muhibbah, Jalan Berjaya and Pearl Garden.
With the theme ‘Mental health is universal human right, stop stigmatisation’, Dr Wong said that one of the objectives of the programme is to improve the community’s mental health literacy.
He explained the community needs to be encouraged to understand the importance of taking care of mental health and increase their understanding of its importance.
“At the same time, we also want to eradicate stigma because stigma and discrimination against mental patients is the main obstacle that causes individuals suffering from mental illness to get the help they deserve.
“If we can stop this stigma, we can break the negative stereotypes against people with mental illness.
“We also want to promote universal mental health because mental health is a basic human right that should be respected and defended for everyone regardless of background, race, religion or social aspects.
“All parties have the right to access mental health services without being marginalised,” he said.
According to Dr Wong, among the activities that will be carried out are zumba, talks about mental health awareness and trends in seeking treatment for mental health problems, services provided by the Sibu Hospital Psychiatry Department, various physical and mental health screening counters including eye and dental health screening counters, various exhibition and sales booths and, a mystery gift for the first 100 participants who successfully visit all the exhibition booths.