Kota Kinabalu: Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang Director Dr Mohammad Firdaus Abdul Aziz said Sabah has the lowest psychiatrists to population ratio in Malaysia – one for every 120,000 people or three times below the national target.
“Our target nationally is one out of 40,000,” he said, noting that even Selangor, despite its large population, fares better with a ratio of one to 90,000.
“Collaboration with the society is, therefore, very important for us in Hospital Mesra because many see us as an isolated institution,” he said at the “I Am Not Silent” Video Competition Award Ceremony organised by Lions Club of Luyang A.C.E.
The competition, officiated by Kota Kinabalu MP cum Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin, was held in collaboration with Hospital Mesra and the MCMC Kota Kinabalu branch office.
“I think it is important to see that Hospital Mesra is as much into being within the community as Lions Club has been all this while,” Dr Mohammad Firdaus said.
Dr Mohammad Firdaus also clarified a common misconception, pointing out that mental health and mental illness are not the same.
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“Mental health is basically what we all have. It is like physical health. But because of circumstances, whether biological, physical or environmental, mental health can be impacted.
“We can be depressed, we can be angry, we can be sad and this may impact how we function on a day-to-day basis. If it is not taken care of well, this is where mental health can go towards mental illness,” he said.
He said the Ministry of Health offers different levels of mental health support, from basic primary care and community outreach all the way up to specialised treatment at Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang, the State’s tertiary psychiatric facility.
“In Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang, we are privileged to also have Mentari, which is an initiative by the government to be within the community, to reach out within the community.
“We provide services including job placement as well as consultation services. And then we have the secondary and tertiary centres. So not to mix up with the technical jargon, secondary centres are your hospitals, tertiary centre is where I am, which is Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang,” he said.
Meanwhile, the programme at hand, “I Am Not Silent”, is an anti-bullying project that aims to raise awareness on bullying, encourage individuals to speak up and create a more caring and supportive community.
Dr Mohammad Firdaus said bullying is one of the key environmental factors that can negatively affect mental health and called on organisations like the Lions Club to continue such community-driven collaborations.
“The resources that we have are limited. This kind of effort and collaboration can provide us with much-needed support,” he said.
On the cyberbullying front, MCMC Kota Kinabalu Branch Office Director Reuben James Pailus called on young Malaysians to speak up rather than remain silent when they witness online abuse.
“Bullying no longer happens only in classrooms, schools and corridors. Today it can happen through phone screens, in group chats, social media comments, online games or even through the sharing of hurtful videos and images,” he said.
Reuben noted that MCMC’s Campaign Internet Selamat has already reached more than 10,000 schools nationwide, with hundreds more programmes planned for this year targeting youth, young people and the elderly.
He also pointed to broader legislative efforts to protect young Malaysians online, including the Online Safety Act 2025 and the recent increase of the minimum social media age limit from 13 to 16.
He reminded people to think before posting, speak up when something seems wrong and use technology to help rather than hurt others.
“Silence can also hurt. When we witness bullying, whether in schools, online, or even among our own friends, choosing to stay silent can sometimes make the victim feel even more alone.
“The internet is very powerful. It can be used to shame, but it can also be used to heal. It can spread fear, but it can also spread courage,” he said.
Reuben said the competition was proof that technology, when used well, can be a force for good, with participants choosing to spread messages of kindness and empathy through their videos.
Present were Lions Club of Luyang A.C.E. Charter President Lim Wuang Ching and Lions Club 2026/2027 President-Elect cum Organising Chairman Bosco Wong, among others.
