Star Foundation donates RM50,000 to D’Home Mental Health Association

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AFTER months of taking medication for treatment of depression and bipolar disorder, a 31-year-old salesman was referred by a clinical psychologist to visit the D’Home Mental Health Association in Penang.

The man, who wanted to be known only as Ng, was then given advice and counselling from the association’s psychologist to help him identify his weaknesses and strengths and get him back on his feet.

“At the beginning, I felt very down due to stress at work and I shunned away from the people I used to mix with.

“I thought that changing my job would help solve the problem but it did not work,” he said.

He added that he switched three jobs during his five months of depression last year.

Ng said that after receiving guidance from D’Home, he is much better and is adapting to his life now.

“I’m still coping. At least my life is now on the right track.”

Full of charity: D'Home Mental Health Association advisor Ninien Le Blanc (left) addressing the public who attended the opening ceremony of D'Home newly expanded outlet at NB Place on Gottlieb Road

He is one of the many who benefitted from D’Home, and was present at the opening ceremony of the association’s newly-expanded outlet at NB Place on Gottlieb Road on Saturday to give an account of what he went through.

At the ceremony, Star Foundation contributed RM50,000 to D’Home in support of the association’s charitable cause.

Star Foundation is a charity arm that looks into raising, receiving and administrating funds for charity, social and research purposes. Star Publications (M) Bhd regional operations manager Chung Chok Yin, who was present at the ceremony, said this was the second year the foundation had donated to the association.

D’Home president Datuk Leslie Lee said it had been conducting activities such as public talks, seminars, counselling and other programmes to help those in need.

“All the activities and services are free because our objective is to give support and encouragement to family members and caregivers of those with mental problems.

“We also provide counselling for the family members and caregivers,” said Lee, adding that D’Home was dependent on donations to sustain their programmes and activities.

Lee and his vice-president Lee Khai also donated RM10,000 each to the association.

Also present were Penang Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh and Pulau Tikus assemblyman Koay Teng Hai.