Malaysian Mental Health Association

The Malaysian Mental Health Assocation (MMHA) was founded in 1967 and is a community based NGO operating solely on public donations and a small annual grant from the Department of Social Welfare. Among the objectives of the MMHA are to be a dynamic advocate for positive attitudes towards mental health, to plan and execute mental health programmes and provide rehabilitation services. Mental Health is a community responsibility as mental health disorders can affect anyone. The World Health Organisation estimates that 1 in 5 people will have a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Mental Illness/disorders can be treated but support and awareness are crucial to the destigmatization of mental illness.

The MMHA runs a Day Care Centre, a Charity Shop Project, organises public forums on mental health issues, provides support for carers of the mentally ill, runs Family to Family Education groups, conducts a Depression Support group and advocates for the rights of the mentally ill.

MMHA has introduced the illness management & recovery, line dancing, singing, art painting, gardening, indoor and outdoor games, daily exercising, occasional outings for the clients under its rehabilitation programme.