KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Commitment and investment from various parties in changing the trajectory of mental health care in Malaysia is needed, said United Nations Children’s Fund Representative for Malaysia and Special Representative for Brunei Darussalam, Dr Rashed Mustapha Sarwar.
“It is not just up to those who are affected to speak out. We must listen, gently, and kindly, without judgment. Create a caring environment for young people to seek help and express their problems,” he said in his opening remarks in conjunction with the launch of the Unicef report — “The State of World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: Promoting, Protecting and Caring for Children’s Mental Health” at Wisma Bernama, today.
Dr Rashed said effective parenting has a critical role in mitigating mental health problems that children might face.