Page 45 - NIH Bulletin Vol. 21: January - June 2023 NIH Way Forward

Vol : 21 • January - Jun 2023 •

MyHEALTHYMIND@PPR
MyHEALTHYMIND@PPR
• • • • • •
Zanariah Zaini, Mohd Hairmansah Mohd Shah, Noorlaile Jasman, Siti Nur Farhana Harun

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Malaysians in
terms of socio economics, education, and mental
health. This effect is evident among the lower
socioeconomic groups, including those living in
the People’s Housing Project (PPR). The children
and adolescents living in PPR were affected. Thus,
IPTK has taken the initiative, in collaboration with
UNICEF, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM),
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Selangor Housing
and Property Board (LPHS), as well as the Ministry
of Local Government Development (KPKT), to jointly
conduct the Mind Health Study among Children and
Adolescents Living in the People’s Housing Project Local Government Development (KPKT), Selangor
(PPR) in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor During the Housing and Property Board, Senior Officers of Kuala
Pandemic. This study explored contributing factors Lumpur Town Hall, UPSI Representatives, UKM,
to psychological distress, strategies to deal with NGOs, exhibitors, and community leaders, as well
stress, and help-seeking behaviour among children as PPR residents, enlivened the opening ceremony
and adolescents living in the People’s Housing of the programme and the launch of the technical
Programme (PPR) during the COVID-19 pandemic. report of the study.
The Institute of Health Behavioural Research (IHBR) Various activities in the form of educational
implemented a PPR community programme to entertainment (edutainment) have been carried
raise their awareness of mental health and empower out, as well as nudge strategies, for the target group
these children and adolescents to seek help in of programmes (parents, adolescents, and children)
situations of need. In addition, this programme in helping them to raise mental health awareness,
is an opportunity for closer and more strategic coping skills, child and adolescent interaction skills,
cooperation from various parties in addressing and parenting skills. Exhibition activities from various
social issues among children and adolescents living agencies related to physical and mental health
in PPR. The program’s implementation received care as well as career and financial management
support and cooperation from Kuala Lumpur City were also provided. In addition, aerobics, health
Hall, PPR Pinggiran Bukit Jalil Residents Association, screening, and dental examinations from the Cheras
Malaysian Health Promotion Association, and Health Office and Wellness on Wheels from the
UNICEF. Federal Territory Health Department further enliven
the PPR Community Joint Programme.
The PPR Pinggiran Bukit Jalil community
programme themed “MyHEALTHYMIND@PPR” was Appreciation and gratitude to Kuala Lumpur City
officiated by Yang Berhormat Tuan Lukanisman Hall for their cooperation and contribution as a
bin Awang Sauni, Deputy Minister of Health partner in organising the programme. Similarly,
Malaysia. Also present were the honorary invitations UNICEF, NCEMH and MAHEO have made it possible
comprising the top management of MOH, including to streamline the management and operation of
the Deputy Director General of Health (Research the programme. The Jabatan Kesihatan Wilayah
and Technical Support), Datuk Dr Muhammad Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (JKWPKL), Pejabat
Radzi Abu Hassan, the Deputy Director General of Kesihatan Cheras, PPR community leader, and
Health (Public Health), Datuk Dr Norhayati bt. Rusli, the Bukit Jalil Pinggiran Residents Association
the Deputy Secretary General (Management), Dato’ Committee, and the exhibitors UKM, UPSI, and
Zainal Alhakab bin Seman, and division directors. SCOPURS are all to be commended and thanked for
The presence of invitations from the Ministry of their contributions to the program’s success.

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