Standard Mental Health First Aid Course

The Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) is a non-profit Non-Government Organisation registered under the Societies Act 1966 MMHA is managed by an elected committee of interested persons and professionals in the community, including caregivers of persons living with mental disorders.

We envisioned a nation where mental health is valued and people with mental health problems are supported and live fulfilling lives without stigma and discrimination. MMHA desires to promote mental wellbeing in the community and support for people with mental health problems and their caregivers through support service provision, education, training, research and advocacy.

Objective:

• To promote mental health in the community.
• To help raise the standard of treatment, prevention and research in the field of mental health.
• To provide rehabilitative services for the mentally ill.
• To safeguard the interests and welfare of psychiatric patients.
• To support caregivers and family members of mentally ill persons.

The Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) was founded by faculty members of the Department of Psychology Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Malaya. It was initiated by Prof. N.N. Wagner (US) Acting Head of the Department at its first meeting on 5th October 1967. Two others who played a significant role in laying the groundwork for the establishment of MMHA were Prof. Tan Eng Seong who took over as the Head of Psychological Medicine Department, as well as Ms. P.C. Sushama, the Chief Medical Social Worker in University Hospital.

MMHA was officially registered on 30th July 1968 under the Societies Act 1966. Tun V.T. Sambanthan, the then Minister of Works, Posts and Telecommunications, was elected its first President at its inaugural meeting on 18th September 1968.

The initial idea of forming MMHA was to provide community support for those recovering from mental illness as well as to promote better mental health awareness through public education. MMHA has since moved on to providing various psychological support services, mental health education and training, caregiver and peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation and residential service as well as a strong advocate for mental health in the country.

Vision

• A nation that values mental wellbeing, where people with mental health conditions are supported and live fulfilling lives, free from stigma and discrimination.

Mission

• To promote mental wellbeing and support people with mental health conditions and their caregivers through service provision, advocacy, education, training, and research.

MMHA have the responsibility to uphold the rights of individuals who experienced mental health conditions, the caregivers, and other individuals (Children, Young Adults, Adults and The Elderlies) who utilized our services.

We recognized our clients are vulnerable in certain circumstances therefore it is important to provide the extra support to protect their safety and well-being. MMHA will ensure our actions and decision-making are based on the best interests of our clients.

MMHA will take these steps to safeguard our clients:

• Providing a safe environment for our clients to share their views. The safe environment can be established by valuing their thoughts, listening mindfully to their sharings and concerns, respecting all viewpoints regardless of culture and religious differences.
• Providing effective guidance and supervision to staff, associates, trainees, interns and volunteers on code of conduct, ethics, and safeguarding.
• Ensuring all information of clients are kept confidential.
• All concerns or breaches of confidentiality are to be reported immediately, and responded to appropriately.