Miri, Sarawak – 14 February 2026 – Faradale Media-M successfully organised the RAKAN Sarawak Destiny Movers (RSDM) Mental Health Workshop: HOPE (Healing, Outreach, Prevention, Empowerment) at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., bringing together mental health professionals, advocates, and members of the public for a day of meaningful dialogue and community engagement.
Inspired by themes explored in Faradale Media-M’s original film Azimat, the workshop translated storytelling into real-world conversations by focusing on three pressing issues increasingly affecting society today: grief, emotional distress, and suicide awareness and prevention.
Creating Space for Grief and Healing
The first keynote session, “Beyond Goodbyes: Exploring the Grief Experience”, was delivered by Mohamad Nazwan bin Mohamad Taufik, General Manager and Co-Founder of Yayasan Dee Hati.
He is a certified Grief Educator under David Kessler’s Grief Training Program and actively champions the development of structured grief support nationwide.
His session explored the differences between normal and complicated grief, how to identify individuals who may be silently struggling, and the role of empathy in supporting those who are hurting.
Participants were actively engaged during the interactive sharing session, with many courageously reflecting on their own experiences.
Attendees described the session as insightful and affirming, noting that it deepened their understanding of how to communicate with compassion and patience, especially with individuals navigating loss.
Addressing Emotional Distress in Uncertain Times
The second keynote, “When Life Feels Out of Control: Understanding Emotional Distress & Healthier Ways of Coping”, was presented by Jesynthia Wong Robert, Registered Counsellor and Managing Partner of Teduh Jiwa Counselling & Consultancy.
Her session addresses emotional distress linked to job hunting challenges, employment termination, financial pressures, and life transitions.
She also discussed how individuals sometimes rely on external symbols or “tokens of hope” during uncertain periods, and how losing these anchors can intensify feelings of instability.
Through guided reflection and discussion, participants gained practical tools to understand their emotional responses better and regulate distress in healthier, more sustainable ways.
The session encouraged self-awareness, resilience-building, and timely help-seeking — particularly in a climate where economic pressures continue to affect many families.
Scaling Hope Through Suicide Prevention
The final segment focused on suicide awareness and prevention, delivered by two representatives from the Mental Health Association of Sarawak Miri Branch.
In his session, “Suicide Prevention: Scaling Hope,” Dr. Ravivarma Rao Panirselvam, Psychiatrist at Hospital Miri and suicide prevention researcher, addressed stigma, myths, and early warning signs surrounding suicide.
He emphasised the importance of community-based intervention, responsible reporting, and equipping individuals with the knowledge to recognise and respond to risk factors early.
Complementing this, Puan Nooridaly Irwanna, a volunteer with the Mental Health Association of Sarawak (MHAS) Miri Branch, delivered a heartfelt session titled “Be A Friend Who Stays.”
Drawing from her lived experience, she spoke about understanding the internal struggles individuals may face, identifying warning signs, and offering appropriate peer support.
Her sharing underscored a powerful message: that consistent presence, non-judgmental listening, and compassionate action can make a life-saving difference.
Building a Community of Hope
The workshop is part of the broader RAKAN Sarawak Destiny Movers (RSDM) initiative, a series of community engagement activities implemented by Faradale Media-M that harnesses the power of storytelling to unite communities.
RAKAN Sarawak believes that in an era marked by division, society needs platforms that bring people together, provide shared narratives, and cultivate a sense of common purpose.
RSDM serves as an interactive and participatory platform aimed at strengthening the values of Sarawakian society.
With mental health concerns on the rise in Sarawak, social stigma and limited access to services particularly in rural areas, continue to hinder treatment and social integration.
Through initiatives like HOPE, RSDM seeks to foster open dialogue, reduce stigma, and encourage community members to play an active role in supporting mental well-being.
The success of HOPE demonstrates that when storytelling meets education and advocacy, it can spark empathy, strengthen resilience, and build a more compassionate community.
The second RSDM HOPE workshop will take place in Bintulu in April 2026, extending its outreach to more communities across Sarawak and continuing the conversation on healing, prevention, and empowerment.
Participants can look forward to longer keynote sessions, more in-depth sharing by each speaker, and expanded interactive segments designed to allow for richer dialogue, reflection, and community connection.
Further details, programme updates, and registration information will be announced on Faradale Media-M’s official website (www.faradalemedia.com / rsdm.faradalemedia.com).