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KLANG: Malaysia’s advocacy work in the field of mental health has been given a boost with the appointment of Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s eldest daughter as an international sponsor of World Mental Health Day 2020.
Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan The appointment of Al Sultan Abdullah was recommended by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) President Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said the appointment was a great honor for the nation.
“The appointment of Tengku Iman is an honor for Malaysia and also a recognition of the mental health advocacy work carried out by her in her personal capacity and also by the many organizations in the country,” said Dr. Mohanraj.
He added that the recognition given to Tengku Imam would also stimulate a multi-sector approach towards mental health awareness, accessibility and protection for people with psychiatric illnesses here.
According to Dr. Mohanraj, the appointment of the princess will also show the great strides that Malaysia has made in the area of health service delivery in general and in mental health in particular.
“Our largely state-sponsored healthcare system is the envy of many in the developing world and others can learn from us as much as we can learn from them,” said Dr. Mohanraj.
He added that the appointment of Tengku Iman gives an articulate voice to the mental health sector in Malaysia.
Dr. Mohanraj has also been elected to the WFMH board, representing the Asia-Pacific region.
The WFMH, which was established in London in 1948, promotes evidence-based understanding of mental health with the goal of empowering people who provide and receive mental health services.
It also works for the establishment of mental health services in all countries of the world.
Each year’s World Mental Health Day theme is determined by the WFMH and endorsed by the United Nations.
This year’s theme is “Greater investment, greater access.”
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