The 2015 SUHAKAM Human Rights Organisation Award, introduced in 2011, to recognise organisations and individuals for upholding and promoting human rights in Malaysia was given to the Perak Society for the Promotion of Mental Health.
The society’s vice president, S. Sundralingam, received the award during a brief ceremony held at Institut Integrasi Kuala Lumpur recently. It was in recognition of the society’s efforts in defending the rights of the mentally-handicapped.
People with mental illness are the most marginalised in society today. They are among the most stigmatised, discriminated against, disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society. It is a sad reflection of our perception of those with such illness.
The Perak Society for the Promotion of Mental Health, which was pioneered by Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr M. Mahadevan in 1967, has helped many mentally-ill people, especially women, to get back to mainstream society through rehabilitation programmes and therapies.
Sundralingam dedicated the award he received to all the residents of the mental day care centre at Ulu Kinta.
Ed
