BINTULU: A mental health workshop titled “Unmask the Mind to Thrive and Flourish” will be held this weekend at Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Bintulu, aimed at strengthening community awareness and resilience amid growing mental health concerns.
Organised by RAKAN Sarawak Destiny Mover (RSDM) Bintulu, the programme is scheduled for April 18 and will involve 100 participants, including students, trainees, and youth groups from across Bintulu.
The initiative comes amid rising mental health challenges nationwide, with increasing cases of depression, stress, and social isolation, particularly among youth and the elderly.
According to organisers, Malaysia recorded nearly 91,000 calls to the national mental health helpline, Talian HEAL 15555, in 2025, double the number from the previous year, reflecting growing public concern over mental wellbeing.
Studies also show that 37 per cent of Malaysians consider mental health the most pressing issue, while national data indicate that about one million individuals aged 16 and above are experiencing depression.
In Sarawak, mental health concerns have been on the rise, with reports highlighting increasing cases of depression and loneliness following the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among vulnerable groups.
The workshop aims to provide a supportive and interactive environment for participants to explore mental wellbeing through guided activities such as breathing techniques, expressive arts, empathy training, and therapeutic exercises.
The initiative is supported by several strategic partners, including Yayasan Dee Hati, Teduh Jiwa Counselling & Consultancy, and the Sarawak Mental Health Association (Miri branch), which bring expertise in grief support, creative therapy, and community-based mental health interventions.
The programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen community-based mental health support systems, in line with growing calls for more inclusive and preventive approaches to mental wellbeing.
