Rokiah Mahmud
State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned suggested that divine therapy such as zikir, ruqyah Nabawiyah and supplications of doa should be introduced at health centres and clinics during his premier paper presentation at the Regional Seminar on Mental Health 2023 at the Musyawarah Hall, International Convention Centre (ICC), in Berakas, on Saturday.
The seminar was organised by Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), through the Health Promotion Centre (HPC), and the Ministry of Education, through the School Leaders and Teachers Welfare Unit.
Minister of Health, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, in his presentation elaborated that various aspects can be implemented to overcome mental health problems including getting strong family and social support, maintaining physical health, planning good finances and expenditure, and seeking professional help and services that are provided by the ministry.
The minister also shared that the latest study has shows 99 cases of deliberate self-harm (DSH) were identified in Brunei Darussalam, of which 34.3 per cent were men, while 65.7 per cent were among women.
Professor Madya Dr Haniza binti Rais from the Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling of Education Kuliyyah, International Islamic University (UIA) in Malaysia, in her presentation, related mental health to the wellbeing of society.
She believed mental health issues can affect all individuals regardless of age and as well as human development in academics, career, relationships and family.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin represented for Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham at the event and officiated the opening ceremony.
Deputy State Mufti Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar bin Haji Mat Dain @ Maidin and Ra’es of KUPU SB, Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar were also present.
Themed ‘Mental Health, Towards the Well Being of Ummah’ the seminar was an integrated effort to realise the goals and actions recommended in the Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025.
It also served as a platform to raise public awareness and knowledge on mental health and matters related to daily life, including current challenges and investigates the limitations to recognising mental health symptoms.
