By Nurdiyanah R.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, SEPT 18 – A healthy mind is essential for a person to manage emotions and enjoy life.
On the other hand a person with mental disorder will not be able to do so, will even fail to deal with any challenge.
People with mental disorders usually face emotional and thought disorders, which can interfere with their social relationships with others.
In Brunei alone, a total of 13,246 people were recorded as having received treatment, compared to 11,231 people last year and this matter is very worrying because it does not only happen among the general public, but also among civil servants and school students. Therefore, it must be addressed by the stakeholders in the country.
His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam emphasized this point when he was pleased to grant an order in conjunction with the 2024 Knowledge Council at the Plenary Hall, International Conference Center (ICC), Berakas, today.
Earlier, His Majesty expressed his gratitude that by the grace of Allah SWT, the Majlis Ilmu can be held every year and has shared a lot of knowledge and information that is very beneficial.
Touching on the theme this year, Dealing with Mental SymptomsHis Majesty also said that the theme is very significant because mental illness, both nationally and globally, is increasing.
According to the teachings of Islam, physical and mental health are gifts and favors bestowed by Allah SWT, which must be taken care of as one of the maqasid of sharia.
“In the context of Brunei Darussalam, efforts to deal with mental symptoms have been and are being implemented. Among them, the Beta government has increased the number of psychological officers and increased the service hours of Talian Harapan 145, which is a mental health help and support line, to 24 hours every day,” His Majesty said.
It is Beta’s hope that concerted efforts from the health side and the religious side will continue to jointly deal with mental health issues,” His Majesty stressed again.
In this regard, His Majesty said he was delighted to know that the concerted efforts of health, religion and public services with the support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have carried out several programs, including mental health roadshows in the workplace, ministries and departments that focus on mental health education from the perspective of Islam and science.
“I also understand that currently one of the main actions in the Mental Health Action Plan of Brunei Darussalam 2022-2025, which is the Basic Mental Health Training Program for Community Leaders, specifically for imams, ustaz and daie, which combines scientific and spiritual treatment knowledge , has been carried out in collaboration between the health department and the religious department,” said His Majesty.
Regarding this matter, His Majesty insisted that it still needs to be monitored and thought about its effectiveness, or if there is another way that is more relevant.
“On this occasion, Beta calls on family members and members of the community to be equally responsible and play a role in helping and supporting patients in the recovery or healing process,” said His Majesty.
