Kuala Lumpur, 11 October 2023 – Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Plantation, Sime Darby Berhad, and Sime Darby Property, has taken a significant stride forward in addressing the pressing issue of mental health in Malaysia. In collaboration with the Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA), YSD launched the MIASA-YSD Helpline Service in conjunction with World Mental Health Day 2023 at the Sime Darby Convention Centre (SDCC). 

The event brought together key figures, including YSD Chairman Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, MIASA Founding President Puan Anita Abu Bakar, YSD Chief Executive Officer Dr Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin, OKU Sentral President Datuk (Dr) Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi, Celebrity Mental Health Advocate Dato’ Aaron Aziz, and representatives from various civil society organisations.

The MIASA-YSD Helpline operates around the clock, manned by trained volunteers, providing immediate mental health support to everyone in need. YSD’s RM1.3 million support over two years to MIASA will also be allocated towards operational expenses and capacity building for staff and volunteers. This helpline is accessible through a 24-hour hotline number (1-800-180-066) and via WhatsApp (03-97656088), with a focus on delivering on-ground crisis intervention by trained practitioners, one call, one conversation, and one life at a time.

Tunku Imran, in his remarks, called for unity in creating a world where mental health is cherished, protected, and celebrated by all. He stated, “Mental health is not a mere privilege but a fundamental right for every individual, irrespective of their background, age, or circumstances. Echoing this year’s theme of ‘Mental Health Is A Universal Human Right’, the newly improved MIASA-YSD Helpline serves as a lifeline, offering guidance, support, and a path towards recovery.”

The event also marked the official launch of MIASA Academy, an initiative aimed at advancing mental health advocacy and awareness through education. This educational platform offers a diverse range of programmes, including the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop, the Young Advocates for Mental Health programme, and various mental health-related talks and workshops to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to address mental health challenges effectively, both at an individual and societal level, in the hope of moving the community closer to the equitable mental health.

“Mental health knows no boundaries. It does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. It is a shared experience that touches the lives of people across all walks of life. This year's theme serves as a reminder about the imperative that mental health be recognised as an inherent, non-negotiable right for everyone. As we celebrate our sixth anniversary, we stand resolute in our aspirations to continue educating the public, championing the voices of the marginalized and expanding the availability of crucial supports and services to all who continue to battle with mental health conditions every day,” said Puan Anita.

In line with YSD’s long-term commitment to this critical cause, MIASA and YSD also announced the establishment of the YSD-MIASA Scholarship programme, which will award two postgraduatescholarships to qualified candidates with a passion for community-oriented mental health efforts.The first scholarship was awarded to Putri Balkis Binti Mohamad Nor to expand the body ofknowledge available to policymakers and other stakeholders to better advocate for policy priorities in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), ratified by Malaysia in 2010.