DISCLAIMER: If you see someone that’s struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and also if you’re showing signs and/or symptoms of anything out of the ordinary, seek professional opinion/advice from a medical team.

May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. May is also dedicated to Mental Health Awareness Month in India. This initiative was launched in the USA in 1949 to create awareness among people about mental health.

However, mental health is not just an issue in the USA, it is a global issue and India is not far behind. Living in the millennial century, people still consider Mental Health a social taboo. Especially in a country like India where people don’t even have an idea about caring for their minds, Mental Health Awareness Month helps to bust myths around mental health and provides resources

The theme for last year was “#Tools2Thrive” and it will be the same for Mental Health Awareness Month 2021 as well. This theme is focused on finding practical ways to cope with stress and better their resilience regardless of their personal circumstances.

However, in Malaysia, mental health awareness month is celebrated in October.

AIA Malaysia launched a campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month, observed through October. This was called “See The Other Side”, and the campaign was created by Reprise Digital.

On a microsite, the campaign launched with videos from Malaysian influencers, host, actress Yasmin Hani and comedian Kuah Jenhan speaking candidly about their struggles with mental health issues such as depression. 

The campaign also included the stories of other people dealing with issues like bipolar disorder

The campaign encouraged the public to pledge their support to increase awareness and conversations on mental health and break the stigma surrounding the topic. AIA offered to donate RM10 for each pledge to the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA).

Research from the National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) revealed that three in 10 Malaysians aged 16 years and over have a mental health condition. By 2020, mental illness is expected to be the biggest health problem affecting Malaysians after heart disease.

The microsite is expected to survive the campaign period, remaining as a resource centre for those seeking content related to mental health as well as a list of associations and NGOs to seek professional help. 

The campaign also includes a content partnership with local NGO Mindakami on a mixed language podcast titled ‘The Borak Minda Podcast’ published on Spotify.

Reprise Malaysia managing director Stanley Clement said: “This campaign is one that is very close to my heart as my wife suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of our son. 

“Mental health awareness in Malaysia is still relatively low, and AIA sparking these conversations will hopefully lead to it being destigmatised in the future.

 “Since the launch of this campaign, we have received an outpouring of support from friends and families of the contributors, with even strangers, commending their bravery to speak out about their personal mental health struggles. It is our collective wish with AIA to grow these conversations to show that nobody is immune, but together, we can help fight the stigma and open up avenues for help.”

Mental Health in Asia – The Numbers around Asia

Mental health is a global concern as mental illness is increasing ever since the pandemic of covid, yet the level of support found in each country varies widely, and cultural factors sometimes come into play. Read on to find out which conditions are most prevalent in each country, and where their respective healthcare support systems stand. 

The resources on each of the pages I have created are meant to be educational, and should not be taken as medical advice. If you suspect you have a mental health concern, seek help from professionals before taking any action!

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