WHO DG thanks Khairy for encouraging M'sians to talk about mental health

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin - Filepic/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has been acknowledged for encouraging Malaysians to talk about mental health by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general reached out on Twitter to thank Khairy for his leadership in encouraging Malaysians Malaysians to talk about mental health.

"Thank you for your leadership and for encouraging the people of Malaysia to talk about mental health, Health Minister @Khairykj (Khairy's Twitter handle). Together for quality mental health care for all," Dr Tedros said in a tweet Monday (Oct 11), also adding the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay.

World Mental Health Day is celebrated on Oct 10 every year.

Dr Tedros was replying to an earlier tweet from Khairy where he encouraged Malaysians to talk about mental health.

"Your mental health affects your physical health and vice versa. Poor mental health can lead to poor physical health and harmful behaviour," Khairy had tweeted on Sunday (Oct 10).

Khairy has since responded to Dr Tedros' tweet, thanking him for his leadership on the global level, adding that mental health care must be made accessible to everyone.

"Remove the stigma of wanting to seek help. Too many are suffering in silence," he said in his tweet.

For more information on how to get help on mental health issues, visit www.infosihat.gov.my/let-s-talk-minda-sihat.html.

Thank you for your leadership and for encouraging the people of #Malaysia to talk about #mentalhealth, Health Minister @Khairykj. Together, for quality mental health care for all! #WorldMentalHealthDay https://t.co/n9691ujlai — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 10, 2021