Stigma against mental health still present in showbiz

taken from The Star 21 June 2023

by Teh Athira Yusof

PETALING JAYA: Veteran composer and singer Datuk M. Nasir shed light on the severity of the mental health crisis in the entertainment industry by stating that only a small number of people are willing to discuss it.

“Mental health is real, especially in the entertainment industry, but there are still those who are afraid to open up about their conditions,” he said, adding that this silence was due to the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

“It was a surprise to me when I was appointed as an ambassador for the initiative but I hope that I can support the movement to promote awareness of mental health issues,” he told reporters at the launch of a tele-counselling initiative here yesterday.

M. Nasir has been appointed as the voice-over star of the FWD Mind Strength Support Programme promotional video which also serves to promote the tele-counselling service.

The tele-counselling initiative is offering Malaysians complimentary mental health counselling services that can be redeemed through its mobile application.

Doctor Anywhere Malaysia general manager Edward Ling said the initiative aims to assist 20,000 Malaysians facing mental health issues through affordable and accessible services.

“It is by offering sponsored appointments for Malaysians with expert counsellors and clinical psychologists that we want to remove barriers and encourage more Malaysians to seek mental health support.

“This is a significant milestone because the private sector is investing in and sponsoring Malaysians to prioritise their mental well-being,” he said.

Ling said that the high cost of living is among the causes of depression and anxiety, particularly for those living in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Patient details will be kept confidential, Ling said.

As part of its efforts to combat the stigma surrounding mental health, the initiative has partnered with FWD Takaful to provide free mental health services.

FWD Takaful Bhd chief strategy and digital distribution Wan Ahmad Najib Wan Ahmad Lotfi said the company had allocated RM2mil to the tele-counselling services to allow more individuals to benefit from them.

Also present at the event were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Health Ministry special advisor Dr Kelvin Yii.

According to Dr Yii, it is crucial to prioritise investment in Malaysia’s mental health capacity to effectively address the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and to be better prepared for any future crises.

Dr Yii said there were various public and private sector initiatives and sponsorships available that can help broaden the reach and effectiveness of mental health services for the B40 group.

He said the government’s mySejahtera application contained a mental health module that would provide options for mental health screenings for its users.

“Hopefully, we can link this with Doctor Anywhere and other platforms to optimise such services,” he said.

To utilise the tele-counselling programme, visit FWD Takaful’s Mind Strength website https://mindstrength.fwd.com.my.