ARE you depressed, anxious, losing sleep or losing hope?
Well, there is help with just a call away.
D’Home Mental Health Association, which has been set up since 2004, has launched a D’Home Careline (04-643 4432) today in conjunction with its 15th anniversary to help people with mental health issues.
State Agriculture, Agro-based Industries, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin congratulated D’Home when he officiated the launching of the D’Home Careline together with the association president Datuk Leslie Lee at D’Home in Bukit Jambul today.
“There is a huge stigma attached to mental illness. I personally congratulate all of you for working hand in hand with others and the state government to tackle the issue of mental health,” Dr Afif told D’Home members at a press conference.
“Although we have made a lot of progress, we still have a lot to do. We want to create a ‘Happy Penang’. We want to achieve the Penang2030 vision (of a family-focused, green and smart state that inspires the nation.)
“I hope that those who have recovered will come forward and volunteer to help out in raising and promoting mental health awareness.”
Befrienders Penang secretary Chueng Kwan Leng said Befrienders Penang and D’Home collaborated to set up the D’Home Careline which would be managed by a pool of trained volunteers.
“We invite people who may be feeling anxious, lonely, depressed or distressed to talk to us when they don’t feel good and not wait till when they are experiencing suicidal tendencies,” she said.
“Our volunteers can attend and connect with these individuals, listen to their pains and frustrations, share programmes available and making necessary referrals.”
D’Home Careline operates from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday, and on Saturday, from 10am to 1pm, while Befrienders (04-2811108 or 2815161) operate from 3pm to 12am daily.
Chueng is appealing to retirees, homemakers and people with flexible working hours to offer their contribution once a week from 10am to 2pm as volunteers. They can contact D’Home at 012-4251600.
Leslie, who has been president of the D’Home for the past 15 years, said the main objectives of the Careline are to provide a listening ear and emotional support to clients and caregivers, identify clients with mental health issues who need professional help and make referrals to psychiatrist or psychologist and share D’Home’s programmes and services with clients and caregivers.
“Prevention through mental resilience is better than cure. All our services provided are free of charge which is our founding policy since its inception 15 years ago,” Leslie said.
Also present at the D’Home Careline launch were D’Home vice-president Lee Khai, D’Home adviser Prof Dr Finian M. O’Brien, committee members Dr Teh Ewe Eow, Dr A. Bharathy and treasurer Leong Eng Khoon.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi