Latest news with #FamilyandCommunityDevelopmentMinistry
The Star
5 days ago
- Health
- The Star
More support for youth mental health
Community outreach: Nancy (centre) taking a photo with the participants of the Family Captain Camp organised in conjunction with Fathers Day by LPPKN at Damai Escape Park in Santubong, Sarawak. — Bernama KUCHING: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is taking a more aggressive stance in tackling youth mental health issues by rolling out a series of early intervention initiatives, including mobile counselling services and local community support centres. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said she is concerned about the rising cases of mental health struggles among young people and is committed to providing accessible support through programmes that involve collaboration with parents, schools and community organisations. 'One of our key efforts is deploying counselling buses to targeted areas, making it easier for youths to access psychological support. 'Many are unaware that they are struggling until they are given an outlet, for example, through art therapy like drawing, which can reveal suppressed emotional distress,' she said. Speaking at a press conference after officiating Kem Kapten Keluarga (Family Captain Camp) in Santubong here yesterday, Nancy stressed that recent tragedies involving adolescents underscore the urgent need for early intervention. She cited a case in Melaka where a Form Five student allegedly killed his mother and elder brother. In addition to supporting youth, the ministry is promoting healthier family dynamics through initiatives such as 'second honeymoon' programmes for married couples and parenting awareness sessions for new parents, she said. The family camp, held in conjunction with the National Father's Day celebration, was organised by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) and attended by LPPKN chairperson Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim. Nancy also urged the public to overcome stigma around mental health and to speak up or seek help when in need. 'In Sarawak, for example, there are many forms of support available for students and communities. What matters most is to talk, whether it is with a friend, a relative or someone you trust,' she said in a Bernama report. In her speech at the event, Nancy highlighted the growing demands placed on fathers in today's fast-paced society, where emotional, intellectual and social involvement is expected alongside traditional roles. Quoting findings from the 2024 Father's Day Public Opinion Survey, she noted that nine out of 10 fathers admitted that parenting today is far more challenging than in previous generations. 'The top concerns among fathers are the high cost of living at 84.4%, and the struggle to maintain work-life balance (72.9%),' she added.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Ministry expands support services amid rise in youth mental health cases
KUCHING: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is taking a more aggressive stance in tackling youth mental health issues by rolling out a series of early intervention initiatives, including mobile counselling services and local community support centres. Its Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the ministry is deeply concerned about the rising incidence of mental health struggles among young people and is committed to providing accessible support through programmes that involve collaboration with parents, schools and community organisations. "One of our key efforts is deploying counselling buses to targeted areas, making it easier for youths to access psychological support. "Many are unaware that they are struggling until they are given an outlet, for example, through art therapy like drawing, which can reveal suppressed emotional distress," she said. Speaking at a press conference after officiating the Kem Kapten Keluarga (Family Captain Camp) in Santubong here today, Nancy stressed that recent tragedies involving adolescents underscore the urgent need for early intervention. She cited a recent case in Melaka where a Form Five student allegedly killed his mother and elder brother. In addition to supporting youth, the ministry is promoting healthier family dynamics through initiatives such as 'second honeymoon' programmes for married couples and parenting awareness sessions for new parents, she said. The family camp, held in conjunction with the National Father's Day celebration, was organised by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) and attended by LPPKN chairperson Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim. Nancy also urged the public to overcome stigma around mental health and to speak up or seek help when in need. "In Sarawak, for example, there are many forms of support available for students and communities. "What matters most is to talk, whether it is with a friend, a relative or someone you trust," she said. In her speech at the event, Nancy highlighted the growing demands placed on fathers in today's fast-paced society, where emotional, intellectual and social involvement is expected alongside traditional roles. Quoting findings from the 2024 Father's Day Public Opinion Survey, she noted that nine out of ten fathers admitted that parenting today is far more challenging than in previous generations. "The top concerns among fathers are the high cost of living at 84.4 per cent, and the struggle to maintain work-life balance, 72.9 per cent," she added.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- The Sun
KPWKM engages UPSI counselling students to aid crash-affected peers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) is providing an opportunity for counselling students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) to support their peers who were affected by the recent fatal bus crash in Gerik, Perak. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said many of the injured victims currently receiving treatment in hospital appeared more comfortable speaking with counsellors their age, compared to those provided by the ministry. 'We have our counsellors on standby, but I was informed that some students are pursuing counselling studies. So, we are giving them the opportunity to apply their learning by supporting their peers. 'Sometimes, victims may not open up to others, but they talk when it is a friend. This is the feedback we received from our staff: that the victims are more open to fellow students. 'This is a new experience for us, seeing how those who are not yet full-fledged counsellors can still offer support and encouragement to their friends,' she told a press conference after launching the Women GIG and Business In Technology (GIG@BIT) programme here today. Nancy added that she and Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad would visit the families of victims who perished in the tragedy to extend condolences and provide further assistance. 'We agreed yesterday that counselling should be made available to each family at any time, based on their readiness. We do not want to disrupt their emotions, but we want to provide support in a compassionate manner,' she said. In the incident early Monday morning, 15 UPSI students were killed when the bus they were travelling in overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway, near Tasik Banding, Gerik. The crash also left 33 people injured. The chartered bus had departed from Jertih, Terengganu at 9 pm on Sunday and was heading to the university's campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak when the accident occurred.
The Star
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Gerik bus crash: Women's Ministry to give immediate aid to 10 students in ICU
Nancy: 'This policy contains four objectives: survival, protection, development and participation.' PUTRAJAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will provide RM1,000 each in immediate aid to 10 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) warded in the intensive care units of two hospitals in Perak. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the donations are through Yayasan Kebajikan Negara under the "Skim Pemberian Ehsan Kepada Keluarga Mangsa". She said her deputy, Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, will visit the affected students on her behalf. "Eight students are being treated at Taiping Hospital, while two are in Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh," she told reporters after officiating the Women Seminar 2025 "EmpowerHER: Engage Energise Elevate", here on Tuesday (June 10). Nancy said the ministry will also look into aid and support for the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. "I think the families need time to grieve as well. It is not just about giving money. What they need most right now is emotional support," she said, adding that the ministry is ready to offer the services of professional counsellors. "But we cannot simply show up immediately, people are still devastated," she said. The tragic crash occurred between 12.30 am and 1 am yesterday on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, when a chartered bus carrying UPSI students from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza. The accident claimed the lives of 15 students and left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant, and the Alza's driver and three passengers. - Bernama
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
RM1,000 immediate aid for 10 UPSI students in ICU
PUTRAJAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will provide RM1,000 each in immediate aid to 10 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) warded in the intensive care units of two hospitals in Perak. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the donations are through Yayasan Kebajikan Negara under the "Skim Pemberian Ehsan Kepada Keluarga Mangsa". She said her deputy, Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, will visit the affected students on her behalf. "Eight students are being treated at Taiping Hospital, while two are in Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh," she told reporters after officiating the Women Seminar 2025 "EmpowerHER: Engage Energise Elevate", here today. Nancy said the ministry will also look into aid and support for the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. "I think the families need time to grieve as well. It is not just about giving money. What they need most right now is emotional support," she said, adding that the ministry is ready to offer the services of professional counsellors. "But we cannot simply show up immediately, people are still devastated," she said. The tragic crash occurred between 12.30am and 1am yesterday on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, when a chartered bus carrying UPSI students from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza. The accident claimed the lives of 15 students and left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant, and the Alza's driver and three passengers.
