Silhouette of a person balancing on a rock against a sunset.

MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE 2021/2022

What is MMI Mental Health Initiative 2021/2022?

Co-chaired by Ang Zheng Jiet and Chloe Goh Sue Yee, MMI Mental Health Initiative (MHI) 2021/2022 is a nine-month-long initiative dedicated to improving the mental health landscape by educating the general public about mental health whilst raising awareness of mental health issues within the healthcare community. Through education, we believe that individuals who are well-equipped with sufficient knowledge will make a substantial contribution in shaping a more empathetic, vigilant and supportive community. We also strongly believe that by continuing the efforts of our predecessors in advocating for the mental health of medical students and healthcare workers, we are encouraging and fostering a safe space for individuals to feel empowered and speak up about mental health illnesses without fearing prejudice or discrimination.

The MHI was conducted in three phases, namely General Public, Medical Students and Healthcare Workers. Contents were curated based on the specific targeted community and presented in the form of infographics and videos on our social media platforms. We are humbled to be able to gather like-minded individuals and experts in the field under one roof to share insights on designated topics in a series of panel discussion and webinars. Starting off with ‘Healing: An Interfaith Panel Discussion’ whereby the interconnection between religion and mental health was discussed between speakers of different religious backgrounds. A Tea Talk session amongst medical students followed soon after whereby the speakers addressed the elephant in the room - burnout. Thereafter, an introductory session to Psychological First Aid was conducted with a huge success! Alas, we concluded our series by discussing mental health amongst healthcare workers and asking the big question, will mental health become the next pandemic? 

In the efforts of empowering individuals beyond the medical faculty to be active advocates, we recruited a diverse team of Global Mental Health Ambassadors to promote our initiative to a wider audience both locally and internationally. To officially wrap-up the MHI, we embarked on a (wonderful) journey of publishing our very own MMI Mental Health Handbook! With ambitious plans to improve the mental health literacy of our community, we enthusiastically (hope) that our efforts and contributions will further inspire new generations of advocates to stand-up and fight for mental health and wellbeing. As we like to say ‘There is no health without mental health’!  


Phase 1 (General Community): October 2021 - December 2021

Phase 2 (Medical Students): January 2022 - February 2022 

Phase 3 (Healthcare Workers): March 2022 - Early April 2022

Handbook: May 2022 - August 2022

Our Vision

We strive to promote mental wellbeing of all individuals, medical students and healthcare workers through empowerment, advocacy and education. 

Our Mission

  1. Promote and increase mental health literacy among the community.

  2. Normalise discussions on mental health and mental health disorders.

  3. Reduce stigma and discrimination towards mental health disorders.

  4. Become the leading voice on advocating for mental health and wellbeing among medical students and healthcare workers.  

  5. Advocate for healthy work cultures and work environments.

  6. Accelerate partnerships and collaborations with various organisations/student or government bodies to address mental health concerns.


Phase 1: General Community

Illustration of a person meditating with long hair resembling a night sky, stars, and the text 'mental health initiative.' Includes 'Follow us on @MMI_MHI' and logos for Malaysian Medics International and mental health."

Introduction of Phase 1: (General Public)

We’re an advocacy initiative under @mmi_social. MMI MHI is dedicated to improving the mental health landscape by educating the general public about mental health whilst raising awareness of mental health issues within the healthcare community.

Infographic titled “How We Fit Into MMI’s 3 Pillars” by Malaysian Medics International about mental health, featuring three sections: Connect, Educate, and Cultivate. Connect focuses on linking healthcare professionals for mental health insights. Educate aims to inform the public on mental health issues. Cultivate emphasizes reducing stigma and discrimination. Includes illustrations of linked circles, a book with a lightbulb, and a sprouting plant.

What we’ve achieved during Phase 1 (General Public)

16 infographics posted (equivalent to 48 posts)

  • Illustration of a sad girl with pink hair, wearing a collared shirt. The word "Depression" is above her in large letters, with lightning bolts on either side of her head, symbolizing emotional distress. The background includes abstract shapes.

    Depression

    Read more

  • Illustration of a distressed woman holding her face, with the word 'Anxiety' and 'Part 1 of 3' on a beige background.

    Anxiety

    Read more

  • Illustration of a sad person with hands on head and chaotic lines above, representing stress or anxiety. Surrounding text reads "obsessive," "compulsive," "disorder" for "OCD." Part 1 of 3 series.

    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    Read more

  • Illustration of an individual speaking with a therapist in two frames. Text reads: 'Role of Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Counselor & Types of Intervention - Part 1 of 3.' Background includes abstract shapes.

    𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗦𝗬𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧, 𝗣𝗦𝗬𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗬, 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗥 & 𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

    Read more

  • Illustration with the text 'Trigger Warning: SOS Suicide' featuring a sad person sitting with crossed arms beside a lifebuoy, part 1 of 3.

    SOS, Suicide! 🆘

    Read more

    *trigger warning

  • Illustration highlighting mental health warning signs and self-assessment. Features a person with closed eyes, a red alert symbol, and a checklist. Includes text "Warning Signs of Mental Health and Self Assessment, Part 1 of 3."

    𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛

    Read more

  • Cartoon illustration depicting "Warning Signs of Mental Health and Self Assessment, Part 1 of 3." Shows a person with closed eyes next to a checklist icon with checkmarks.

    International Stress Awareness Day

    Read more

  • Illustration of two sad individuals sitting with the text "Stigma, Prejudice & Discrimination" and "Part 1 of 3". One person wears a red shirt, the other has curly hair.

    𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗲 & 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

    Read more

  • Illustration of a person holding a salad bowl and eating a tomato, surrounded by images of pizza, cupcakes, fries, and burgers, with the text "Eating Disorders Part 1 of 3".

    𝗘𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿

    Read more

  • Illustration of two people dancing with the text "Impact of Cultural Diversity on Mental Health, Part 1 of 3" above them.

    Impact of Cultural Diversity on Mental Health

    Read here

  • Illustration of a person in a suit holding a microphone, with text 'Celebrities and Olympians Suffering From Mental Health Part 1 of 3', and an Olympic torch icon.

    𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀/ 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀

    Read more

  • Illustration of a person holding a mask, representing personality disorders, with colorful letters forming the words "Personality Disorders". Part 1 of 3 is noted in the corner.

    Personality Disorder

    Read more

  • Illustration depicting schizophrenia with a sad woman in the foreground and the same woman distressed in the background, with text reading "Schizophrenia Part 1 of 3".

    𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗮

    Read more

  • Illustration of a person holding a mirror with text that reads "Bipolar Disorder & Dissociative Identity Disorder Part 1 of 3," embellished with decorative stars and patterns.

    𝗕𝗶𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 & 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿

    Read more

  • Illustration of a woman sitting on a sofa, appearing stressed, with a thought bubble containing a virus symbol. Text reads "COVID-19 and Mental Health Part 1 of 3."

    𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗗-𝟭𝟵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

    Read more

  • Illustration of two children flying kites with the text 'Mental Illness in Children' and a rainbow, labeled 'Part 1 of 3.'

    𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻

    Read more

1 Interfaith Panel Discussion and Recap of Interfaith Panel Discussion

“Healing: An Interfaith Discussion”

Promotional image for an interfaith panel discussion. Includes headshots and brief descriptions of speakers: Madam Venerable Lyan Shih, Dr. Wong Yin Onn, Dr. Ahmad Luqman bin Ahmad Shuhaili, and Dr. Eldwin Oui. Moderated by Fatimah Binti Rahman. Event scheduled for November 6th at 8:30 PM (GMT+8) via Zoom. Features logos for Malaysian Medics International and "mental health." QR code for registration included.
A quote from Venerable Lyan Shih reads, "The body, mind, and spirit are all interwoven. Looking after the body without attending to the mind is not good." The image includes a portrait of Venerable Lyan Shih and an illustration of a meditating person. Logos for Malaysian Media International and Mental Health are also present.

5 episodes of #CakapMental (including 1 Influencer Edition with fashion model)

We strongly believe that stories are powerful and the voices of mental health survivors should be heard and amplified.

Introducing the #CakapMental series, where we invite mental health survivors of various backgrounds to share their stories and experiences.

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2 Mental Health Awareness posts (World MH Day, Stress Awareness Week)

Illustration of a person with flowers growing from their head, celebrating World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2021. Includes logos for Malaysian Medics International and mental health organization.
Infographic on mental health awareness with arrows listing benefits: building a caring society, increasing early intervention, reducing stigma, and raising global awareness and efforts in support of mental health, featuring icons of people and communication.

1 episode of Minor Talk w MMIYM

“Mental Health Among Medical Students”

Two people engage in an online discussion titled 'Mental Health Among Medical Students' with themed backgrounds, part of an event by MMI Minor Talk.

Promotional partnership with LAGOM Wellbeing

Promotional announcement for a partnership between Malaysian Medics International, Mental Health, and LAGOM Wellbeing, dated December 29th, 2021, featuring illustrated medical professionals and decorative elements.

Recruited 31 Global Mental Health Ambassadors

(consisting of students, fresh graduates, psychologist, counsellor, physiotherapist)

Illustration of a group of people with the text "MHI Global Mental Health Ambassadors Recruitment. Phase 1: General community (Oct - Dec 21')". Decorative elements include colorful shapes and abstract patterns.

Phase 1 Committee Members & Global Health Mental Ambassadors (GMHAs)

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Phase 2: Medical Students

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This phase is specifically dedicated to medical students. 🩺We aim to emphasise the importance of mental health amongst medical students while raising awareness about mental health issues affecting medical students.

Let's break the stigma and start conversations about medical students’ mental health! To our fellow medical students out there: You are never alone!

Introduction to Phase 2: Medical Students

What we’ve achieved during Phase 2 (Medical Students)

  • Illustration of a stressed student at a desk with a laptop and open books. Text reads "Global Mental Health Issues: Medical Students Edition" and "Part 1 of 3."

    𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬: 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

    Read more

  • Illustration of a stressed medical student running with a clipboard and phone, surrounded by a flying clock and calendar. Text reads 'Burnout: A Medical Student's Battle, Part 1 of 3.'

    Burnout - A Medical Student’s Battle

    Read here

  • Burnout 101

    Read here

  • Illustration of a stressed individual sitting on the ground with a speech bubble showing scribbles, a test paper, and text reading "Battling Exam Stress" with "Part 1 of 3."

    Battling Exam Stress

    Read here

  • Illustration with text "Perfectionism & Competitiveness: It's not always healthy. Part 1 of 3." A person sits cross-legged, facing away.

    Perfectionism and Competitiveness: It’s not always healthy!

    Read here

  • Illustration of a doctor with a worried expression in blue scrubs and mask, surrounded by brown abstract shapes. Text reads: "Medical Student Syndrome: You probably have it too! Part 2 of 3."

    Medical Student Syndrome - You Porabably Have it Too!

    Read here

1 PFA Introductory Webinar, with PFA webinar rewind

Understanding Psychological First Aid (PFA) Webinar

Read here

Promotional poster for MMI Mental Health Initiative Webinar titled "Understanding Psychological First Aid (PFA)" on January 22, 2022, at 8:30 PM (GMT+8). Features speaker Dr. Nur Iwana Binti Abdul Taib, moderated by Chan Shu Chen. Limited to 90 seats.
Promotional image for Malaysian Medics International featuring Dr. Nur Iwana Binti Abdul Taib, a psychiatry trainee at UKM, explaining the importance of Psychological First Aid (PFA). The text describes PFA’s function to reduce distress, assist with basic needs, and promote adaptive functioning during crises.

1 Tea Talk Session (w medical students studying in different countries)

Tea Talk Session: Medical Student Burnout - Is the Heat Real? 🥵

Read here

Tea talk session about medical student burnout, featuring speakers Edward Foo, Sheela Wong Sze Yee, Jeanne Lim Jing Wen, and Ainin Sophia Binti Arnel Tungol. Moderated by Suraya Hani Tenang. Set for January 15th, 8:30 pm (GMT+8), broadcast on Zoom and Facebook Live. Organized by Malaysian Medics International focusing on mental health. Includes a registration QR code.

Daily Words of Encouragement (WOE) on IG story

Inspirational graphic with text "Words of Encouragement," surrounded by hearts, leaves, and daisies, with logos for MMI and mental health.
Illustrated poster from Malaysian Medics International about supporting medical students with challenges like workload and pressure. Features four cartoon faces and encouraging text about optimism and motivation.
Motivational quote on a smartphone screen with a pastel background, heart and rainbow illustrations, and the text mentioning mental health support. The quote emphasizes resilience and positivity, featuring a 'Finding Nemo' reference.
Promotional graphic for "Words of Encouragement" series by Malaysian Medics International, mentioning daily stories on Instagram and Facebook.

Social media interactive segments

(social media takeover by psychologist, This or That , Bingo challenge, QnA, Choose the Correct Fact)

Instagram story carousel featuring various slides related to medical students. Includes topics like words of encouragement, mental health issues, a bingo card themed around medical student habits, and a "This or That" choice slide. Branding includes "MMI Mental Health."
Collage of Instagram stories featuring various themes, including a 'This or That' Medical Students Edition game, a bingo card for medical students, and promotional graphics for IG Takeover, PFA Webinar, and Tea Talk Session. Each story appears to have been posted several weeks ago.
Instagram posts displaying various mental health awareness activities, including a social media takeover by Shireen Olikh, infographics, and a bingo game related to mental health problems among medical students. Includes elements like dates, illustrations, and event details.

Promotional partnership with MedicFootPrintsMalaysia

Announcement graphic featuring Medic Footprints Malaysia as a promotional partner with MMI and Mental Health, dated March 16, 2022. Includes illustrations of a medical professional and a woman in a lab coat.

Collaboration with MMI Humans of Medicine 

“...my hand remains resolutely above the surface, asking for help.”

https://malaysianmedics.org/blog/humans-of-medicine-37

Recruited 22 Global Mental Health Ambassadors for Phase 2

Phase 2 Committee Members & Global Health Mental Ambassadors (GMHAs)

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Phase 3: Healthcare Workers

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Not all heroes wear capes, some wear scrubs. Mental health issues are apparent within the healthcare community. However, ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, this topic has ignited much discussion and gained the public’s notice. In light of the launch of this final installment of the MHI, we are all extremely thrilled to present you our next focus - the importance of mental health amongst healthcare workers.

So stay tuned for our upcoming fascinating infographics and activities which aim to spotlight the arising concerns of the mental health issues surrounding healthcare workers!

It’s high time we break the stigma against mental health and start prioritizing mental health and wellbeing amongst the medical fraternity.

Introduction of Phase 3: Healthcare Workers

What we’ve achieved during Phase 3 (Healthcare Workers)

  • Illustration of healthcare professionals, including a nurse, doctor, and scientist, wearing protective gear. The text reads: 'Healthcare professionals with mental health issues = unfit?' and 'Fitness to Practice Part 1 of 3.' The background has clouds and greenery.

    Healthcare Professionals with Mental Health Issues = Unfit?

    Read more

  • Illustration of a healthcare worker sitting against a wall, wearing scrubs, gloves, and a mask, with text asking how work culture and environment affect mental health. Part 1 of 3.

    How Does Work Culture & Environment Affect Mental Health

    Read more

  • Illustration of a weary healthcare worker wearing a white coat and a medical cap with "SOS!" text and "Malaysia Healthcare Workers Are Burning Out" caption. Background includes abstract shapes and stars.

    SOS! Malaysia Healthcare Workers Are Burning Out

    Read more

  • Illustration with rainbow and text "Caring for the Caregivers: Burnout Among Healthcare Workers, Part 1 of 3," with birds and hearts.

    Caring for the Caregivers: Burnout among Healthcare Workers

    Read here

  • Illustration highlighting compassion fatigue, featuring a person sitting inside a heart shape with a dark scarf adorned with small hearts, surrounded by supporting hands and text promoting help for caregivers.

    Understanding Compassion Fatigue: Offer Help For Those Who Help Others

    Read here

  • Illustration of healthcare workers, one resting on a hospital bed and another sitting on the floor, with the text "Compassion is not fatigue - Battling compassion fatigue." Part 1 of 3.

    Compassion Is Not Fatigue! - Battling Compassion Fatigue

    Read here

2 Panel Discussions,

involving 3 junior doctors (from Malaysia & Singapore) and 2 Psychiatrists (Senior lecturers from Monash & UPM)

  • Flyer for a panel discussion titled "Will Mental Health Become the Next Pandemic?" on April 2nd at 8:30 PM (MYT) via Zoom. Panelists include Dr. Sivakumar Thurairajasingam and Dr. Chester Chong Seng Choi, with Dr. Sean Thum as the moderator. Organized by MMI and mental health organizations.

    Will Mental Health Become The Next Pandemic? (2nd April 2022)

    Read more

  • Promotional flyer for a panel discussion titled "Ill Against Their Will" on March 13th at 8:30 PM (GMT +8). Hosted on Zoom with limited seats. Panelists include Dr. Vyshnavi Desiraju, Dr. Timothy Cheng, and Dr. Lianne Alychia Hendriks, with Dr. Roshini Rai as the moderator. Organized by Malaysian Medics International and mental health organizations.

    Ill Against Their Will: Should Mentally Ill Healthcare Workers Be Allowed To Continue Practicing Medicine (13th March 2022)

    Read more

3 MHI X LAGOM Collaboration Series

  • Tested Positive for Constanty Thinking About Life (Pre-Pandemic)

    Read more

  • Ships COVID-19 Did Not Allow to Sail

    Read more

  • The Price 62,000 Medical Students Paid This Pandemic

    Read more

Recruited 33 Global Mental Health Ambassadors for Phase 3

  • Recruitment poster for MMI MHI 2021/22 Mental Health Handbook, announcing available positions like Contents Executive, Design Executive, External Liaison Executive, Editorial Executive, and Translation Executive. Deadline is 7th April 2022, 11.59 PM MYT. Includes colorful illustrations and a QR code for registration.

  • Phase 3 Committee Members & Global Health Mental Ambassadors (GMHAs)

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Our Social Media.

Social media page of MMI Mental Health Initiative featuring healthcare worker graphics and information about mental health advocacy in Malaysia. Includes posts, sign-up button, and contact details.