How to talk to others about their Mental Health?

Are you concerned about someone's wellbeing and wished that you knew what to do? Here's a snippet of what you could say, or ask: 

Adapted from http://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/friends-family-members/



Content: Low Yee Min, Master of Counseling, HELP University. 

How to help loved ones with Mental Health Concerns?

Talking to them provides the opportunity to share information, support, and guidance  resulting in:

• Early identification of possible mental health issues

• Early intervention

• Better understanding and compassion for the individual

When a friend or family member is showing signs of a mental health problem or reaching out to you for help, offer support by:

• Finding out if the person is receiving sufficient care—if not, connect him or her with help

• Expressing your concerns and support

• Reminding the person that help is available

• Asking questions, listening, and being responsive when mental health concerns arise

• Reassuring the person that you care about him or her

• Offering to help him or her with daily tasks

• Including friends and family members in your plans

• Educating others to better understand mental health concerns in light of providing more support

• Treating individuals with mental health concerns with respect, compassion, and empathy

Source: http://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/friends-family-members/

Read more: http://www.namiyolo.org/tipsforfamilies.html


Content: Low Yee Min, Master of Counseling, HELP University. 

What are the Triggers of Mental Health?

Content prepared by: Low Yee Min, Master of Counseling, HELP University. 

Malaysian Mental Health Association - World Mental Health Day 2015

Malaysian Mental Health Association will have a public forum entitled: "Dignity in Mental Health" on 10 October 2015, from 3pm to 5pm. 

Check out their poster for more information:

Excerpt from MMHA:

Greetings! Do you know that one out of four people will experience mental health issues at some point in their lives? Regardless, people with mental illness are often discriminated and stigmatized to the point where they are often misunderstood. It imposes a negative effect to the sufferer such as shame and hopelessness. In fact, stigma acts as a blockade in getting professional help and shortage of support. In conjunction with the World Mental Health Day, there would be a public forum entitled “Dignity in Mental Health” (the theme of WMHD 2015) to rise against the stigma and discrimination of mental illness. Details are as per stated in the flyer.

For those who are interested, do give us a call to register for the talk at 03-77825499 or email tokhayxian@mmha.org.my. Thank you.

Other than that, there will also be a non-competitive 3km walkathon on 17th October 2015 (Saturday) at Taman Tasik Cempaka, Bangi, starting at 6.30am.

Find out more at: MMHA Walk with Dignity

WMHD 2015 - Exhibition and Experiential Activities

Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous.

- Bill Moyers

       How many of you have had the SAME ROUTINE day-in, day-out for the past 9 months? If you have, it is OCTOBER now and that calls for time to do something different at least for one day. 

       As the world observes World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October, we have also jumped on the bandwagon in spreading awareness on Dignity in Mental Health, which is the theme for World Mental Health Day 2015 (WFMH, 2015).

       Referring to the poster above (and also on our previous post), on Friday, 9th October 2015, take some time off of your assignment or work to spend some time at our center for a full day of activities and educational information on Dignity in Mental Health. 

       Doors open at 10AM and participation is free for all! Do invite your friends and family to come along as our hands on and interactive activities are suitable for all ages. 

       Stay tuned to our updates here and on Facebook for more information in the week to come!

       

World Mental Health Day 2015

Mental Health Awareness Week 2015

In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week 2015 with a focus on the theme of mindfulness, the Center for Psychological and Counseling Services (CPCS) will be sharing daily tips on simple mindfulness practice on our Facebook page throughout this week (18 - 22 May). We hope to shed some light on what mindfulness is and how it can be incorporated into our everyday life to improve our well-being.

So, what does it mean to be mindful?  

Essentially, mindfulness means to consciously focus on the present,to appreciate the moment, in a nonjudgmental way.

All too often we can lose the true essence of mindfulness by over-complicating things or placing emphasis on the act of meditation alone.  Mindfulness is not something we leave at the chair, but something we can carry through our everyday lives. 

  

Click here to learn more about Mindfulness:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201303/mindfulness-made-simple

Deep Breathing is an exercise that is always available - anytime, anywhere.  Just shifting your attention from whatever is going on to the act of taking a single purposeful breath can make a meaningful contribution to managing stress.

 

Click here to start practicing Mindful Breathing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzzb3jHhgeU

World Mental Health Day 2014 Recap

If you missed out on our annual World Mental Health Day for the year of 2014, do not fret! Our team had compiled a collection of photos of the three day event in this post for your review!

Not sure what I am talking about? 

Click here to see:

 WMHD 2014 Promotional Video

WMHD 2014 Event Highlights

WMHD 2014 Breaking Stigma, Bridging Lives.

In this video, the president and co-president of WMHD 2014 shares their thoughts on the successful event and... alright you should click play to find out the rest of the messages yourself! Enjoy!

WMHD 2014 Promotional Video

In about two weeks' time, the air surrounding the Center for Psychological and Counseling Services (CPCS) will be illuminated  in view of our 3-day Open Day from 8th October until 10th October 2014  in conjunction with World Mental Health Day 2014 to raise awareness about schizophrenia and other related mental health issues.

If you've read our previous posts, the theme that CPCS is featuring this year is: Breaking Stigma, Bridging Lives. Our team of clinical psychologists, counselors and Masters in Clinical Psychology trainees are working hand-in-hand to tailor the best experiential exhibition for all of you who are keen to understand more about the stigma encapsulating mental health and strategies to bridge communication gaps surrounding mental health concerns. 

Meanwhile, we have prepared a short clip to publicize our event from now leading to the launch on October 8, 2014. A summary of the intended meaning for this production that was inspired by Draw My Life will be posted shortly before the event itself. 

If you have any questions regarding our event, please drop us an e-mail at cpcsathelp@gmail.com or call us at 03-20961212.

Thank you for watching the video. Your participation in this endeavor to create a better climate for mental health awareness is greatly appreciated!

Event Highlights

          In conjunction with World Mental Health Day, the Center for Psychological and Counseling Services (CPCS) at HELP University is organizing our annual 3-day event on the 8^th, 9^th & 10^th October 2014 to raise awareness about schizophrenia and other related mental health issues. The theme of this year is Breaking Stigma, Bridging Lives.

          The event aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and raise awareness of resources available to the public.

You can find audio and video simulations related to mental illness, communication activities, dance, expressive art, stress-relief crafts, and mindfulness activities from our experiential rooms across all three days. 

Here's the itinerary of our scheduled activities for all three days:

Please note that each slot is capped at 20 participants.

You can register by submitting your information on this form: Event Highlights Registration Form

*Sessions that are full will not be seen on the registration form*

Our event is open to the public as well as HELP University students and staff. 

World Mental Health Day 2014 - Breaking Stigma, Bridging Lives

Our annual World Mental Health Day open days are coming your way! Mark those dates on your calendar, invite your friends and family to join us with our theme this year: Breaking Stigma, Bridging Lives.

Stay tuned for more information on our Event Highlights!

World Mental Health Day 2013 & Promo Video

Look out for more details as we celebrate World Mental Health Day in CPCS from 9th - 11th Oct 2013!

Video link:
https://picasaweb.google.com/108724318556981326637/GIGPromoVideo?authuser=0&feat=directlink