Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) is collaborating with Health Promotion Centre (HPC) to promote and raise awareness about mental health among the people of Brunei amidst the local COVID-19 situation.
The long-term partnership will help promote awareness and education on mental health issues which will be uploaded on BIBD’s and HPC’s Mind Your Mind social media channels.
According to Clinical Psychologist and Mental Health Strategy Lead at HPC Nor Syahmun Hj Matassan, the re-emergence of the COVID-19 situation in Brunei has caused a huge impact on all of us which a number of changes had to be made in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“These changes and uncertainty unfortunately can lead to stress, anxiety, fear, and lack of motivation for many of us. Although this is a common and normal reaction during a pandemic situation, it must be addressed. It is more important now than ever, for us and the whole Bruneian community, to mind our mind and maintain good mental health and well being,” she said.
“The Ministry of Health through the “Mind Your Mind Brunei” team at Health Promotion Centre is grateful to have this opportunity to work and collaborate together with BIBD and Community for Brunei to share series of tips and strategies that can hopefully help everyone maintain good mental health and well-being especially during these challenging times,” she added.
“Remember, our mental health matters, and we all are in this together so let’s try our best to be kind and compassionate not only to ourselves but also to one another #bersamamelindungi,” Nor Syahmun concluded.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health would also like to highlight and remind the public to not hesitate to ask for professional help if anyone is feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the current situation.
The public may contact the mental health professionals at Talian Harapan 145 for support, every day from 8.00am to 11.00pm.
On her part, BIBD Chief Marketing Officer Hjh Nurul Akmar Hj Md Jaafar said that the collaboration reflects BIBD’s commitment to support the nation and the community in our fight against Covid-19 and preservation of the general well-being as a whole.
“Mental health is a serious issue that needs to be addressed effectively and at the earliest opportunity. In difficult times like these, we need to work together as a nation in providing any form of support to our society in ensuring their health and well-being is in a good state,” she said.
“This is in line with BIBD’s strong commitment and dedication to support the UN SDG 3 Goals of ensuring the good health and well-being of the global population and among others, ending epidemic and other communicable diseases such as Covid-19.” she added.
With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the community again, BIBD and Community for Brunei have been actively organising various initiatives with the relevant ministries and NGOs to provide support to the community and those affected.
In addition, BIBD would also like to call upon interested parties and individuals to join these initiatives and rally support to the community and Brunei as a whole as we continue to overcome the pandemic. – Azrina Zin
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
