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The Perak Society for the Promotion of Mental Health (PSPMH)

The Perak Society For The Promotion of Mental Health was established in October 1967, as a pilot project for the rehabilitation of mental patients. A centre was set up at the Luther Clinic in Clarke Street, Ipoh to which a few mental patients from Hospital Bahagia were brought each day. Under the guidance of a trained social worker, they carried out occupational therapy work and cultural recreational activities.

During the initial start of this project, Rev. Donald Poole, Carl Fisher, Dr Ute Volpe, Dr Lee Kok Heng and Ms Joy Selvanayagam were the pioneers of this centre. Tan Sri Dato Seri M. Mahadevan then Director of Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta (HBUK) was the centre’s Consultant Psychiatrist. This centre provides care and rehabilitation for women with psycho social disabilities.


Later with the increase of patients the Centre moved to Tiger Lane and subsequently to Taman Kinta in Jalan Gopeng. In 1976, the Centre was handed to the Rotary Club and it was then known as Persatuan Penggalakan Kesihatan Jiwa then later Perak Society For the Promotion of Mental Health (PSPMH) was formed. Mr Frank Cowie became the first president of this newly formed society. In 1978, the state government under Y.B. Radin Sonano gave the Society a 26.2 hectare (12 acres) of land at Batu Lapan Ulu Kinta to establish a permanent Centre for rehabilitation of mental patients. On 27th July 1985, the centre was declared opened by DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Shah, the Patron of our Society, Dato Dr M Majumder was appointed as President for this centre. This Society is a registered body under section 720 Perak, of Section 7 of the registration ACT 1996. The Society is affiliated with the World Federation of Mental Health in October 1994.

In the following year, the President & Committee of the Perak Society embarked on various fund raising projects which includes Film Premiere, Open Day, Food Fairs, Donation Lunches, Charity Dinners, Walkathon etc. They raised funds and were able to put up a four chalet multi-purpose centre at the premises of 12 acres of land in Batu Lapan, Ulu Kinta. Upon completion, 30 residents moved into this Centre on 27th October 1984.

In May 1985, the centre was officiated by His Royal Highness Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak who became the Patron of this society.

What is good mental health?

The ability to learn.
The ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions.
The ability to form and maintain good relationships with others.
The ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty.

The five main warning signs of mental illness are as follows:

  • Excessive paranoia, worry, or anxiety.
  • Long-lasting sadness or irritability.
  • Extreme changes in moods.
  • Social withdrawal.
  • Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping pattern.
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Why is it important to spread awareness about mental health?

Mental health awareness should not only be for a day or two or even a month. We must be informed about it because it can easily happen to someone close to us. Community awareness for mental health reduces stigma. Mental health awareness increases the chances for early intervention, which can result in a fast recovery.

Awareness reduces negative adjectives that have been set to describe our people with a mental illness. By raising awareness, mental health can now be seen as an illness. These illnesses can be managed by treatment.

Here are some simple steps you can take to help raise the collective consciousness about mental health where you live:
  • Talk with everyone you know.
  • Open up about your experience.
  • Encourage kind language.
  • Educate yourself about mental illness.
  • Coordinate a mental health screening event.
  • Leverage social media.
  • Encourage physical health that supports mental health.
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How can you improve and to look after your mental health?
  • Talk about your feelings. Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled.
  • Keep active.
  • Eat well.
  • Drink sensibly.
  • Keep in touch.
  • Ask for help.
  • Take a break.
  • Do something you’re good at.
  • Accept who you are.
  • Care for others.
  • Watch comedy shows like Mr Bean (cartoon).
  • Listening to music.

*Research supported by UK Mental Health organization