BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 27 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that one in four people has experienced some form of mental illness, said a psychologist at the Ministry of Health (MoH) Fauziyyah Hanani Haji Abdul Manap.
“It is quite common and after Covid-19, the number is even higher,” she said.
“We need to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health, educate ourselves, spread more awareness on mental health, have more conversations on mental health and have zero tolerance policy towards stigma surrounding it.”
The stigma towards mental illness is quite strong in the country, she said, which is further exaggerated by the incorrect representation of mental health.
“Some are even shamed of being mental ill,” she said at a forum entitled ‘The Dilemma of Mental Health’ by diverse young professionals at the Legislative Council building in the capital, adding that “we need to stop mystifying the term ‘mental health'”.
Forum organiser Young Professionals Network of Brunei Darussalam said mental health is one of the most neglected areas of health globally.
“This was true before Covid-19, but the pandemic further exacerbated the status of mental health," said the organiser.
"Youth today are living through an unprecedented global crisis. Covid-19 is forcing students out of classrooms, forcing entrepreneurs out of businesses, and forcing youth out of jobs with no clear end in sight.
“The devastation of the pandemic -millions of deaths, economic strife and curbs on social interaction – have already had a marked effect on people’s mental health.” - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
“It is quite common and after Covid-19, the number is even higher,” she said.
“We need to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health, educate ourselves, spread more awareness on mental health, have more conversations on mental health and have zero tolerance policy towards stigma surrounding it.”
The stigma towards mental illness is quite strong in the country, she said, which is further exaggerated by the incorrect representation of mental health.
“Some are even shamed of being mental ill,” she said at a forum entitled ‘The Dilemma of Mental Health’ by diverse young professionals at the Legislative Council building in the capital, adding that “we need to stop mystifying the term ‘mental health'”.
Forum organiser Young Professionals Network of Brunei Darussalam said mental health is one of the most neglected areas of health globally.
“This was true before Covid-19, but the pandemic further exacerbated the status of mental health," said the organiser.
"Youth today are living through an unprecedented global crisis. Covid-19 is forcing students out of classrooms, forcing entrepreneurs out of businesses, and forcing youth out of jobs with no clear end in sight.
“The devastation of the pandemic -millions of deaths, economic strife and curbs on social interaction – have already had a marked effect on people’s mental health.” - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
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