KUCHING: A new year-long community mental health initiative, PROSPER 2.0, was officially launched today (Jan 24), aiming to support caregivers, families, and vulnerable groups while addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and adviser to the Mental Health Association Sarawak (MHAS), officiated the launch of the programme organised by the MHAS Kuching Branch.
During the event held at Grand Margherita, Wee stressed the importance of empathy and understanding for those living with mental health challenges.
“Nobody wants to be a mental health patient, and nobody wants to be sidelined from society. We respect everyone. If we can help them break that barrier and go close to them, they will not harm you,” he said.
He added that stigma around mental illness must be actively challenged.
“We have to take away the stigma. We definitely have to tell people, mental illness is not scary,” Wee said, urging the public to engage with and support those affected.
Building on the success of PROSPER 1.0, which received strong participation and positive feedback, PROSPER 2.0 is a structured, year-long programme offering monthly sessions on old age, children’s, and adolescent mental health, providing practical guidance, early identification of issues, and crucial support for caregivers, who are often the first to notice changes yet sometimes the last to receive help themselves.
Wee also highlighted the broader impact of supporting caregivers.
“When caregivers are supported, families are strengthened – and when families are strengthened, our community becomes more resilient. Mental health is not just a medical issue; it is a family issue, a community issue, and a shared responsibility,” he said.
The launch coincided with the BRACE Workshop on Trauma-Informed Practice, reflecting a holistic approach that strengthens both community awareness and professional skills.
Wee also expressed his appreciation to ‘Majlis Pembangunan Sosial Sarawak’, represented by Sharifah Sophia Wan Akil, for their grant support that made the year-long programme possible.
He concluded by urging the community and media to continue supporting MHAS initiatives.
“Community-based mental health programmes grow stronger when they are understood, supported, and shared,” he said, emphasising the vision of a caring, inclusive, and mentally healthy city where no one is left behind.
