More than 50 senior citizens from across the Belait District attended a briefing on anxiety hosted by the Health Promotion Centre (HPC) of the Ministry of Health yesterday.
Held by the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) Library in Kampong Pandan in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, the briefing aimed to shed light on the dangers of anxiety.
Staff nurse at the HPC Dayangku Salawati binti Pengiran Haji Aji, who led the presentation, said that similar briefings were also held in Brunei-Muara and Tutong districts.
She said that while the briefings were targeted at senior citizens, she hoped the knowledge will be shared with friends and family, “as mental well-being applies to all, in line with this year’s World Mental Health Day theme ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right'”.
The briefing discussed how anxiety is a dangerous and invisible illness that can negatively impact mental health; the signs and symptoms of anxiety; as well as how to overcome them.
The senior citizens also participated in activities that allowed them to express their concerns on cards, perform breathing exercises and a group activity to establish mutual support in combating anxiety while allowing medical officers to identify and help those who show signs of anxiety. – Daniel Lim
