KOTA BHARU - Performing prayer alone is not sufficient in addressing mental health issues, additional efforts are necessary to assist those affected.
Kota Lama assemblyman Dr Hafidzah Mustakim stressed that the establishment of a Special Committee to address Mental Health Issues is among the efforts considered capable of combating mental illness within the community in this state.
Dr Hafidzah said the government needed to take proactive steps by involving key agencies, including the Health Ministry, the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAHEIK), the police and the fire department.
"Addressing individuals with mental health issues cannot rely solely on performing prayer; there are other steps that need to be taken to help this group," she said after inaugurating the ‘Mental Health Awareness Programme: Mental Illness vs Jinn Disturbance?’ here on Thursday.
She said that many actions could be taken to assist those in desperate situations, including displaying contact numbers and putting up messages of love in appropriate locations.
"If we have a committee, we can identify problems that may involve family, finances, or unemployment, which are among the main causes of depression or mental health issues.
"Show the government's seriousness in tackling this issue. I see there are solutions, and we at the DUN level see our capability in providing advocacy to the people," she said.
The ‘Mental Health Awareness Programme: Mental Illness vs Jinn Disturbance?’ was jointly organised by the Department of Psychiatry at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the Psychological Medicine Association in collaboration with the Kota Lama DUN Service Centre.
The programme aimed to raise public awareness about methods to address mental health issues that affect mental well-being.