The Macao Populace Mental Health Promotion Association (MPMHPA), together with the Graceful Rhyme Arts and Cultural Tutorial Centre, held yesterday a community activity in Iao Hon Market Park, aiming to raise public awareness of mental health through a variety of charity sales and performances.
MPMHPA President Tang Ut Sim said that her association “is a self-help organisation that focuses on improving the lives of mentally ill persons and their families as well as fighting for their legal rights”, consisting of more than 200 members. Knowing that mental illness has a great negative impact on civil society, Tang added, she hoped that yesterday’s activity “will remind everyone to pay attention to their own mental health, so as to minimise the depletion of social resources caused by mental illness”.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the activity, Tang said she was aware of the rising trend of mental health patients in the community, hoping that the government could increase its measures to support her association in areas such as community follow-up treatment or emotional support.
Having observed that many elderly people lose their goals in life after retirement and are prone to conflict with family members and negative emotions, Tang encouraged senior citizens to participate more in community activities organised by different organisations.
Macao Populace Mental Health Promotion Association (MPMHPA) President Tang Ut Sim speaks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s community activity in Iao Hon Market Park. – Photo: Yuki Lei
