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What is your specific area of interest in youth mental health advocacy?

Anti-stigma advocacy, LGBTQ mental health, Suicide prevention.

why is youth mental health advocacy important to you?

I became an advocate for mental health issues after events impacted on my mental health. Believing that youths are the power for tomorrow, investment in the future generation is to equip the youths with emotional stability and resilience that are necessary in their daily lives.

how would you describe mental health in your community?

Mental health is often overlooked in my community with multiple unmet needs. Adolescents, LGBTQIA+ youths and persons with disabilities are often neglected with regard to their mental health needs. Social norms, stigma and living conditions negatively impact on the community’s view of mental health and related issues.   

Project Summary

The project has a goal of changing the Asian community's perception that "mental health is not that important". It focuses on engaging youths, particularly those belonging to diverse ethnic groups from five different countries: Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos PDR, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The objectives of the project are to digitally advocate and spread awareness of youth mental health needs, improve the knowledge of mental health among youths and general population, and capacitate regional youth leaders with basic counselling skills so they can contribute back to their own communities.