Some 20 Ministry of Health officers and staff attended a 12-week basic mental health training course for community leaders recently.
Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the course included mental health and psychology from both the Islamic and medical science perspective. Participants were also given exposure to counselling techniques psychological approaches and holistic and integrated treatments.
An orientation session was conducted by the Department of Psychiatric Services at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital where briefings were delivered by officials from the Mental Health Strategy Unit, the Health Promotion Centre, the Counselling and Religious Understanding Unit (KAFA), the Syariah Affairs Department and the Islamic Da’wah Centre.
The course aligned with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s titah on mental health issues and is part of the Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025.
The course aimed to raise awareness and knowledge on mental health management, promote emotional and mental well-being from an Islamic perspective, reduce stigma and highlight available mental health services in the Sultanate. – Azlan Othman
