SHAH ALAM, March 14 — The Selangor Mental Health Association (SMHA) has expressed interest in collaborating with the state administration to conduct mental health activities.
The Star quoted its honourary secretary-general Mohan Chitran as saying they are eager to partner with Selangor via its state-sponsored Selangor Mental Health (Sehat) initiative.
He said several state lawmakers have also expressed interest in collaborating with the organisation.
“We are ready to organise mental healthcare-related activities in the (state) constituencies,” Mohan said in a recent interview.
Addressing the challenges of nursing mental health, he said such aspects have become a key component in healthcare as people face the challenges of everyday life.
SMHA is keen to support communities which are often overlooked, like stay-at-home spouses.
“Conditions like depression are very insidious and not easily detected without expert intervention.
“That is why SMHA needs to look for this target group and give them emotional support and help,” Mohan said.
Last week, SMHA set up their booth at the State Secretariat Building during the State Legislative Assembly sitting, where they passed informational pamphlets while engaging with lawmakers to inform them of their mission and initiatives.
The secretary-general said it is crucial to get help from elected representatives as the best means to reach their target group.
He also thanked the state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim as the immediate former state assembly Speaker, as well as incumbent Speaker Lau Weng San, who voiced support for the group last week.
SMHA was formed last year by a group of mental health advocates and is currently headed by its president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj, a trained psychiatrist.
Previously, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj welcomed SMHA’s formation, given the need for an organisation to tackle mental health challenges in the state.
The Ruler also gave his blessings to SMHA to reach out to the state government for future collaborations.
