mental Archives - Georgetown Baptist Church https://old.gbcpg.org/tag/mental/ IMPACT one life at a time Sun, 30 Jan 2022 05:32:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.9 https://old.gbcpg.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-logo_red_512x512-32x32.png mental Archives - Georgetown Baptist Church https://old.gbcpg.org/tag/mental/ 32 32 Why I joined Befrienders https://old.gbcpg.org/why-i-joined-befrienders/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-i-joined-befrienders Wed, 21 Jul 2021 06:47:24 +0000 https://old.gbcpg.org/?p=4331 Last October, I decided to sign up as a volunteer with the Befrienders Penang. As a believer in mental health and a psychology graduate, it is something that I have wanted to do a few years ago. Despite the COVID pandemic, the Befrienders continued running their recruitment drive in order to raise more volunteers. The opportunity arose and I quickly signed up. Most of us are stuck at home anyways and what better way to make good use of time. The Befrienders is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide emotional support via telephone call. They are non-religious, non-judgemental and non-political in nature. Every call is handled with care and strict confidentiality. Callers can remain completely anonymous and need not to use their real names. During the training phase, recruits were exposed and introduced to various subjects such as self-awareness, empathy, stress management, loneliness, mental illness and telephone skills. It is crucial for the recruit to complete every session in order to become a competent and skilled Befriender as one is dealing with human emotions and psychological well being. All recruits will be assessed through various role-plays and apply everything that has been taught into action. Successful recruits will then go through a probation period before being confirmed as a Befriender. ‘Why is the world so full of fake and toxic people?’ A caller asked when dialed into the Befrienders suicide prevention hotline Despite being a new Befriender, I had the opportunity of speaking and listening to the stories of various callers. Oftentimes, all the caller really wants is just someone to talk to and pour their hearts out to another person. While the Befrienders are commonly known as a suicide prevention hotline, many who call in are facing depression, loneliness, stress and anxiety. These struggles hit across all ethnicities and age groups, ranging from teenagers to senior citizens. Issues can range from relationship, work, personal inadequacy and financial issues : ‘Why is the world so full of fake and toxic people?’’My husband doesn’t love me anymore. I think he wants a divorce. ’‘I lost my job and I feel so useless. I don’t know what to do anymore.’ Volunteering for the Befrienders is certainly not for the faint-hearted. One has to have a huge amount of patience, empathy, understanding and a generous spirit in listening to the stories of the caller whilst also being mindful of our own emotions and biases. This is especially important when the Befriender is dealing with suicidal calls. The call can quickly become intense and heavy as the caller takes the Befriender on an emotional roller coaster ride. Sometimes, the suicidal caller can hang up halfway through and the Befriender will never know the outcome of the suicide attempt. This itself can be a daunting challenge even for the seasoned Befriender. While the global pandemic continues to prolong, so are the sufferings and stressors of life for the vast majority of us. For some, death has gotten the upper hand of their life situation. Suicide cases have been on the rise and many are crying out of desperation. As the world is focused on physical health in combating COVID, mental health has also become a very real issue with a rising concern. How then should we respond as believers of Christ? 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 In tough times like these, may we be reminded to be devoted to one another in love. Call up that estranged friend or family member, lend a listening ear to the downcast, be patient with the weak and show kindness to the poor. We have been blessed to bless others, no matter how big or small it may be. If you are in need of help, seek help! There is no shame in asking for help and assistance especially in your mental wellbeing. As the saying goes, people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. One may be the most powerful, wealthy and successful individual but if no care has been shown, then nobody really cares about the former. In tough seasons like this, let’s learn to love one another by showing care and concern that is genuine and consistent, not just one or two times. May we love one another, just as Christ has first loved us. For more information about Befrienders Penang, click here. Watch Aaron Leong’s message on how to live a Victorious Christian Living.

The post Why I joined Befrienders appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

]]> Last October, I decided to sign up as a volunteer with the Befrienders Penang. As a believer in mental health and a psychology graduate, it is something that I have wanted to do a few years ago. Despite the COVID pandemic, the Befrienders continued running their recruitment drive in order to raise more volunteers. The opportunity arose and I quickly signed up. Most of us are stuck at home anyways and what better way to make good use of time.

Aaron Leong is an active member of GBC who serves in multiple ministries including praise & worship

The Befrienders is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide emotional support via telephone call. They are non-religious, non-judgemental and non-political in nature. Every call is handled with care and strict confidentiality. Callers can remain completely anonymous and need not to use their real names.

During the training phase, recruits were exposed and introduced to various subjects such as self-awareness, empathy, stress management, loneliness, mental illness and telephone skills. It is crucial for the recruit to complete every session in order to become a competent and skilled Befriender as one is dealing with human emotions and psychological well being. All recruits will be assessed through various role-plays and apply everything that has been taught into action. Successful recruits will then go through a probation period before being confirmed as a Befriender.

‘Why is the world so full of fake and toxic people?’

A caller asked when dialed into the Befrienders suicide prevention hotline

Despite being a new Befriender, I had the opportunity of speaking and listening to the stories of various callers. Oftentimes, all the caller really wants is just someone to talk to and pour their hearts out to another person. While the Befrienders are commonly known as a suicide prevention hotline, many who call in are facing depression, loneliness, stress and anxiety. These struggles hit across all ethnicities and age groups, ranging from teenagers to senior citizens. Issues can range from relationship, work, personal inadequacy and financial issues :

‘Why is the world so full of fake and toxic people?’
’My husband doesn’t love me anymore. I think he wants a divorce. ’
‘I lost my job and I feel so useless. I don’t know what to do anymore.’

Volunteering for the Befrienders is certainly not for the faint-hearted. One has to have a huge amount of patience, empathy, understanding and a generous spirit in listening to the stories of the caller whilst also being mindful of our own emotions and biases. This is especially important when the Befriender is dealing with suicidal calls. The call can quickly become intense and heavy as the caller takes the Befriender on an emotional roller coaster ride. Sometimes, the suicidal caller can hang up halfway through and the Befriender will never know the outcome of the suicide attempt. This itself can be a daunting challenge even for the seasoned Befriender.

While the global pandemic continues to prolong, so are the sufferings and stressors of life for the vast majority of us. For some, death has gotten the upper hand of their life situation. Suicide cases have been on the rise and many are crying out of desperation. As the world is focused on physical health in combating COVID, mental health has also become a very real issue with a rising concern. How then should we respond as believers of Christ?

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13


In tough times like these, may we be reminded to be devoted to one another in love. Call up that estranged friend or family member, lend a listening ear to the downcast, be patient with the weak and show kindness to the poor. We have been blessed to bless others, no matter how big or small it may be. If you are in need of help, seek help! There is no shame in asking for help and assistance especially in your mental wellbeing.

As the saying goes, people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. One may be the most powerful, wealthy and successful individual but if no care has been shown, then nobody really cares about the former. In tough seasons like this, let’s learn to love one another by showing care and concern that is genuine and consistent, not just one or two times. May we love one another, just as Christ has first loved us.

For more information about Befrienders Penang, click here.

Watch Aaron Leong’s message on how to live a Victorious Christian Living.

The post Why I joined Befrienders appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

]]> The Church and Mental Health https://old.gbcpg.org/the-church-and-mental-health/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-church-and-mental-health Mon, 12 Jul 2021 10:43:34 +0000 https://old.gbcpg.org/?p=4228 Recently, the suicide rate in Malaysia has been climbing. There were 631 suicide cases recorded in year 2020. The Bukit Aman CID director said in a statement on 1 July 2021 that there were 468 suicide cases between January and May 2021. For the same period, the Penang police commissioner reported that 19 suicide attempts were recorded in Penang, on top of 53 deaths from suicide. Why is mental health so often not addressed in the church? Some unhelpful comments … although well-meaning Many times, the church is ill-equipped to handle the issue of depression. This is due to a lack of awareness and training. Let me share my personal story. A Christian leader once remarked in my presence, “I do not understand people who are depressed. They should just snap out of it.” Wow. That really cut deep. I never dared to share my own battles with depression thereafter. I felt that as a Christian, there must have been something wrong with me. After all, should not the joy of the LORD be my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)?  Then, why am I not feeling it? I am a “bad” Christian? Depression in the Bible God is not afraid to address this topic in the Bible. Numerous persons in the Bible faced depression although the word “depression” is not used directly. When confronted with Jezebel’s death threats, Elijah prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” (1 Kings 19:4 NIV). 1 Kings 17:12 is one occasion that is very similar to the desperation resulting in the White Flag movement in Malaysia. It was during a time of drought. The widow of Zarephath said to Elijah the prophet, “As surely as the Lord your God lives, I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” We do not have a famine in July 2021 in Malaysia. However, many people are in dire financial straits with continued lockdowns and job loss. Some are surviving on their last pieces of biscuits (or cookies in American English). Others in the Bible who faced depression were Job (Job 3:11, 20-22), Rebekah (Genesis 27:46; 28:5) and quite possibly, mighty King David (Psalm 22, 69). Depression is a battle Depression is like any other health battle in our lives. We do not go around asking a cancer patient, “I do not understand why you have cancer. You should just snap out of it.” Friends, we cannot just snap out of depression. If you can snap out of what you are feeling at that moment, you are not experiencing depression.  You may just be feeling what people call “the blues”. A temporary low feeling or mood is normal. It may even be good for us. It allows us to process a negative event in a healthy way. We can often distract ourselves by doing something we enjoy or by talking with a friend. Depression, however, is a condition that you may need to find help for. Some symptoms of depression include: Depressed mood, sadness, or an “empty” feeling, or appearing sad or tearful to others Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed Significant weight loss when not dieting, or significant weight gain (for example, more than 5% of body weight in a month) Inability to sleep or excessive sleeping Restlessness or irritation (irritable mood may be a symptom in children or adolescents too), or feelings of “dragging” Fatigue or loss of energy Feelings of worthlessness, or excessive or inappropriate guilt Difficulty thinking or concentrating, or indecisiveness Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or specific plan for committing suicide (source : WebMD) Depression Treatment: When Should You Get Help? If you have five or more of these symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, you may have major depression. Your primary care doctor is a good place to start. Your doctor can screen you for depression, and help you manage and treat your symptoms so that you can feel better. If you are in Malaysia, some resources that you can reach out to are as below: Befrienders is offering emotional support 24 hours, 7 days a week to people who are in despair and having suicidal thoughts. Their nationwide number is +603-76272929. The phone number for Penang is +604-2910100 and other contact methods can be found here. This next resource is for our children. They are facing greater pressure than ever with online learning as well as social and physical isolation. Buddy Bear Childline by Humankind is manned by Psychological First Aid (PFA) trained volunteers and provides a safe space for children and teenagers.  Their toll-free line is 1800-18-2327. Humankind is a registered social enterprise based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  They are on a mission to improve the social and emotional well-being of all communities especially communities that are underserved and vulnerable. Georgetown Baptist Church’s CareNet ministry https://old.gbcpg.org/ministries/carenet/ . You can contact Susie or Tong Ik at +604-2287110. There is no shame in taking care of your mental health. Reach out. You are not alone. We can get through this. Together. This blog is authored by Poh Yoke Lo on 14th July 2021

The post The Church and Mental Health appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

]]> Recently, the suicide rate in Malaysia has been climbing. There were 631 suicide cases recorded in year 2020. The Bukit Aman CID director said in a statement on 1 July 2021 that there were 468 suicide cases between January and May 2021. For the same period, the Penang police commissioner reported that 19 suicide attempts were recorded in Penang, on top of 53 deaths from suicide.

Why is mental health so often not addressed in the church?

Some unhelpful comments … although well-meaning

Many times, the church is ill-equipped to handle the issue of depression. This is due to a lack of awareness and training.

Let me share my personal story.

A Christian leader once remarked in my presence, “I do not understand people who are depressed. They should just snap out of it.”

Wow. That really cut deep.

I never dared to share my own battles with depression thereafter.

I felt that as a Christian, there must have been something wrong with me.

After all, should not the joy of the LORD be my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)?  Then, why am I not feeling it? I am a “bad” Christian?

Depression in the Bible

God is not afraid to address this topic in the Bible.

Numerous persons in the Bible faced depression although the word “depression” is not used directly.

When confronted with Jezebel’s death threats, Elijah prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” (1 Kings 19:4 NIV).

1 Kings 17:12 is one occasion that is very similar to the desperation resulting in the White Flag movement in Malaysia. It was during a time of drought. The widow of Zarephath said to Elijah the prophet, “As surely as the Lord your God lives, I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” We do not have a famine in July 2021 in Malaysia. However, many people are in dire financial straits with continued lockdowns and job loss. Some are surviving on their last pieces of biscuits (or cookies in American English).

Others in the Bible who faced depression were Job (Job 3:11, 20-22), Rebekah (Genesis 27:46; 28:5) and quite possibly, mighty King David (Psalm 22, 69).

Depression is a battle

Depression is like any other health battle in our lives.

We do not go around asking a cancer patient, “I do not understand why you have cancer. You should just snap out of it.”

Friends, we cannot just snap out of depression.

If you can snap out of what you are feeling at that moment, you are not experiencing depression.  You may just be feeling what people call “the blues”. A temporary low feeling or mood is normal. It may even be good for us. It allows us to process a negative event in a healthy way. We can often distract ourselves by doing something we enjoy or by talking with a friend.

Depression, however, is a condition that you may need to find help for. Some symptoms of depression include:

  • Depressed mood, sadness, or an “empty” feeling, or appearing sad or tearful to others
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed
  • Significant weight loss when not dieting, or significant weight gain (for example, more than 5% of body weight in a month)
  • Inability to sleep or excessive sleeping
  • Restlessness or irritation (irritable mood may be a symptom in children or adolescents too), or feelings of “dragging”
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness, or excessive or inappropriate guilt
  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating, or indecisiveness
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or specific plan for committing suicide

(source : WebMD)

Depression Treatment: When Should You Get Help?

If you have five or more of these symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, you may have major depression. Your primary care doctor is a good place to start. Your doctor can screen you for depression, and help you manage and treat your symptoms so that you can feel better.

If you are in Malaysia, some resources that you can reach out to are as below:

  • Befrienders is offering emotional support 24 hours, 7 days a week to people who are in despair and having suicidal thoughts. Their nationwide number is +603-76272929. The phone number for Penang is +604-2910100 and other contact methods can be found here.
  • This next resource is for our children. They are facing greater pressure than ever with online learning as well as social and physical isolation. Buddy Bear Childline by Humankind is manned by Psychological First Aid (PFA) trained volunteers and provides a safe space for children and teenagers.  Their toll-free line is 1800-18-2327. Humankind is a registered social enterprise based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  They are on a mission to improve the social and emotional well-being of all communities especially communities that are underserved and vulnerable.
  • Georgetown Baptist Church’s CareNet ministry https://old.gbcpg.org/ministries/carenet/ . You can contact Susie or Tong Ik at +604-2287110.

There is no shame in taking care of your mental health. Reach out. You are not alone. We can get through this. Together.

This blog is authored by Poh Yoke Lo on 14th July 2021

The post The Church and Mental Health appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

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