COMMUNITY-LED MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN KELANA JAYA TO EMPOWER LOCAL LEADERS

PETALING JAYA, April 28 (Bernama) -- A community-driven mental health initiative, Komuniti Minda Sihat, has been launched in SS4 Kelana Jaya to equip local residents with essential skills in mental health awareness and early intervention.

The programme, spearheaded by Community Mental Health advocate Sitra Panirsheeluam in collaboration with the National Coalition of Mental Wellbeing (NCMW), seeks to bridge the gap between mental health awareness and accessible support at the grassroots level.

Sitra, who is also the founder of Triangles Psychiatry & Psychological Support, an online platform for mental health services, said the initiative began on March 24 and concluded with a graduation ceremony on April 26.

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The focus of the programme was to train local communities in SS4C/4D Kelana Jaya to become Community Mental Health Leads, empowering them to identify mental health challenges and provide support within their neighbourhoods.

“Our goal is simple yet impactful — to normalise conversations on mental health, promote early intervention, and ensure no one feels isolated in their struggles,” Sitra said in a statement today.

Sitra added that these newly-trained Community Mental Health Leads will play a key role in recognising early signs of mental health concerns and guiding individuals towards appropriate resources and support within their community.

Over the course of several workshops, participants were trained by psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, and gerontologists in areas including dementia care, stress management, anxiety, depression, and the early detection of mental health issues.

The programme is supported by various corporate and community partners, such as Nestlé Malaysia, Digital Symphony, MedlineFlix, Residents Association SS4C/SS4D Kelana Jaya, and Rotary members, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing mental wellbeing.

The graduation ceremony, marking the conclusion of the first series of workshops, was officiated by Selangor Executive Council member and Bandar Utama state assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin.

Also present were NCMW chairman Siti Subaidah Mustaffa, Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) president Prof Datuk Dr Andrew Mohan, psychologist and academician Prof Dr Alvin Ng Lai Oon, consultant addiction psychiatrist Dr Assvin Alga, family medicine specialist Datuk Dr RS Kumar, and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Zone 7 councillor John Leong.

-- BERNAMA