THE Alliance for a Safe Community (Ikatan) is expanding its commitment to champion mental well-being.
As an accredited training provider, it conducted a mental well-being programme for Fire and Rescue Department personnel.
As safety and emergency first responders, these professionals face immense mental and emotional challenges daily and require psychological support to meet the demands of their work, said Ikatan in a statement.
The session involved 90 supervisors from fire and rescue stations around Kuala Lumpur and was conducted at Ikatan’s training centre in Menara EcoWorld, Kuala Lumpur.
The topic, “Mindfulness for Trauma Prevention and Resilience,” was crafted with the goal of mitigating trauma, reducing burnout, building resilience and enhancing mental fitness for firefighters working in high-stress environments.
The modules were delivered by two Ikatan mental well-being experts – Ko Teik Yen, a mindfulness practitioner and clinical hypnotherapist as well as Prof Dr Zahari Ishak, an applied psychologist from UCSI University.
The modules included stress management techniques tailored for first responders, addressing early signs of burnout and trauma recovery strategies in the aftermath of critical incidents.
One participant said the programme had been a lifesaver.
“It gave me tools to cope with the stress that comes with the job and taught me the importance of prioritising mental health. I feel more prepared now.”
Said another participant: “The workshops and counselling sessions made me realise I wasn’t alone in facing these challenges as the camaraderie we built will go a long way in supporting one another. I wish it was longer instead of just a day.”
In his opening remarks, Ikatan chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the NGO is dedicated to championing the mental well-being of the nation’s workforce.
“We believe that mental well-being is a fundamental right for all, particularly for those in high-risk professions.
“By addressing the unique needs of fire and rescue personnel, we aim to set a precedent for similar initiatives across various sectors,” said Lee.
The programme was jointly sponsored by Ikatan and National Centre for Excellence in Mental Health (NCEMH) under a Yayasan Hasanah grant.
