Psychologist calls to challenge stigma surrounding mental health

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) states that one in four people has experienced some form of mental illness, said psychologist at the Ministry of Health 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, have more conversations on mental health and have zero tolerance 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 mentally ill,” she said at a forum titled ‘The Dilemma of Mental Health’ by diverse young professionals at the Legislative Council building yesterday, 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.

“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 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 mental health.”

“There is no doubt that young people are the most affected by the crisis, which has seen a rise in anxiety and depression that may take years to recover from.

“It is ever more important to help young people develop resilience to face the challenges and adapt to changes brought on by the pandemic.

“Building resilience requires a paradigm shift and acknowledgement that mental health issues are the new reality that needs to be proactively addressed through the whole-of-society approach.“As Brunei is aspiring to transform into a well-diversified economy, the youth as the engine of transformation must be equipped with skills to be resilient, to prepare and plan for, cope and recover from, and successfully adapt to adverse events,” said the organiser.

Meanwhile, panellist Pengiran Salimatul Sa’ada Pengiran Mohd Saleh, an educational psychologist at the Special Education Unit of the Ministry of Education, touched on the pros and cons of social media.

“Excessive use of social media has negative effects on our mental well-being.

“We are hooked to our phones and excessive use affects our sleep, work-life balance and social comparison with others,” she said. — Borneo Bulletin/ANN