“YOU’LL Never Walk Alone.” That’s the message from Penang’s Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen as the state joins the world in observing World Mental Health Day 2025 today.
Drawing inspiration from the motto of Liverpool S.C., Gooi said partnerships with local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are vital in advancing this year’s theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” and ensuring that support reaches those most affected during crises.
Gooi encouraged individuals in need of help to reach out to the many NGOs available in the state.
“You’ll Never Walk Alone. Don’t worry. Don’t be shy to reach out to us. Your privacy will be protected,” Gooi told Buletin Mutiara during an exclusive interview at the latter’s office in Komtar recently.
He was accompanied by some members of Befrienders Penang, including its chairman, Saras Pillay, during their visit to distribute festive gifts in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Gooi noted that many students do not want to consult school counsellors due to a “huge trust deficit.”
“This stems from the fact that some issues discussed between students and counsellors eventually become known to the entire school. They are more comfortable approaching NGOs such as Befrienders, who have a strong reputation for confidentiality. You don’t hear about cases reported to Befrienders being discussed in the community,” he explained.
He said the 2022 Malaysia National Youth Survey found that one in four youths experienced mental health issues, with 24.5 per cent of Penang youths affected — slightly below than the national average of 26.9 per cent.
Gooi urged those facing mental health challenges to seek help, especially through organisations such as the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), Befrienders Penang, Sneham, the Penang Youth Council, and the Penang Mental Health Association. He also advised contacting the IHeal hotline at 15555 for immediate support.
“We’ve made applications available for them to get help. For instance, they can WhatsApp Befrienders if they’re uncomfortable making a phone call from home, as their parents might overhear. In some cases, the source of stress could come from their parents themselves,” Gooi added.
He said discussions are ongoing between his committee and NGOs to address the stigmatisation surrounding mental health.
When he assumed office as the EXCO for Youth, Sports and Health, Gooi said he established a health subcommittee to unite all NGOs dedicated to mental health instead of working in silos.
“We bring together all agencies, including the police and anti-drug units, with the Penang Health Department serving as the secretariat. Our goal is to empower the NGOs in Penang and strengthen collaboration so that we can reach more people in the community,” he said.
Gooi explained that under the Ministry of Health, the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health (NCEMH) was launched in October 2022 to increase mental health literacy and reduce stigma through nationwide awareness campaigns and initiatives.
The NCEMH, he said, was established in response to the growing mental health challenges exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. It acts as a central hub to coordinate mental health services across public, private, and non-governmental sectors.
In addition, Gooi said the Health Ministry has implemented the Komuniti Minda Sejahtera (K-Mindset) programme to strengthen community support for children’s mental health by training community leaders to identify and assist those in need.
“People with mental health issues should be treated just like those with a fever or flu. They should not be denied promotion or advancement in their careers. We’re working closely with all NGOs and relevant agencies to tackle this issue,” he stressed.
He added that the state government continues to provide allocations to support programmes aimed at addressing mental health concerns.
To mark World Mental Health Day 2025, the state-level celebration will be held at Klinik Air Putih in Balik Pulau on Oct 26. Last year’s event was successfully held at Perkeso.
Among the activities planned are the Kampung Fun Run/Ride V.4, a congkak competition, a handbag arrangement competition, a healthy recipe competition, a digital poster competition on mental health, and colouring competitions for children aged 4–6, 7–9, 10–12, as well as senior citizens aged 55 and above.
Elsewhere, D’Home Mental Health Association, in collaboration with Penang Hospital, will hold talks and discussions on mental health issues at 1st Avenue Mall, Level 8, from 10am to 6pm today, while Befrienders Penang will organise a talk entitled “Mental Health Matters” with a forum on “Ethical Suicide Reporting Can Save Lives” at USM Penang on Oct 12 (Sunday) from 8.30am to 3.30pm.
As Penang strengthens its mental health support network, Gooi’s message — “You’ll Never Walk Alone” — resonates deeply. It’s a promise of hope, a call for empathy, and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always someone ready to listen and walk beside us.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting