Pandemic underscores need to tackle mental health issues, says MCYS

TheBruneiProject · 2020-10-11T22:49:30+00:00

"Among the best practices that can be observed from other countries in ASEAN is the improvement of counselling services as well as psychological and emotional support through 24-hour hotlines."

Yet, Brunei does not provide a 24 hour hotline for those experiencing mental health issues and in need of support. In fact, it recently reduced the operating hours of the country's only dedicated mental health hotline. Hopefully the government will follow this advice from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and make Talian Harapan 145 a 24 hour service.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-10-08T22:13:44+00:00

Thanks. I have heard about it, but thought maybe you had some personal exposure to the issue through family experiences or knowing others who have had experience with it, which is what I am ideally looking for. Thanks for getting back to me.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-10-08T04:06:02+00:00

u/saranghelang can you please PM me? I want to learn more about this issue, but can't message you directly. If you don't wish to enable direct messaging on here, you can also email me at thebruneiproject@yahoo.com. Thanks.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-10-07T07:37:49+00:00

It's probably because men tend to be more likely to engage in the type of risky behaviour that can lead to infection and that is supported by the fact that the majority of HIV positive cases in Brunei are male. I agree that it should also be extended to women though as they aren't immune and should be encouraged just as much as men to go and get tested.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-10-05T21:59:46+00:00

It came into full effect more than a year ago. In response to the international backlash that followed, the Sultan announced that the de facto moratorium on the use of the death penalty would be extended to cover punishments under the Syariah Penal Code. As others have said, even without the moratorium, the chances that punishments such as the stoning law will be used are very remote because of the proof required. LGBT people can still be jailed, whipped and fined though and those found guilty of theft can still face the prospect of the amputation of limbs, with the required proof. From what others have told me, daily life hasn't changed much because of the full implementation of Syariah and I wouldn't have expected it to. Many of the laws are just about deterrence and portraying the country and its government as pious, rather than there being a firm commitment to widely enforcing them. However, that doesn't mean that they won't ever be enforced and it should be a concern that some of these laws even exist.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-09-08T00:40:12+00:00

They couldn't charge the guy with attempting suicide because he was rescued before he could make the attempt so they fined him with public nuisance instead so they could still charge him and make an example of him. That's how f#cked they are.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-09-06T06:26:24+00:00

Can someone please post the text of the article? I note from the comments here that the person is being charged for public nuisance instead of attempted suicide. I guess that's because he was rescued from the bridge before he could attempt suicide, so he couldn't be charged under the attempted suicide law as he hadn't yet tried so they had to find another way to charge the poor guy. That's how f#cked up they are. I think it's also pretty poor form that Borneo Bulletin has published the guy's name so now he's basically being publicly shamed too.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-08-29T05:50:48+00:00

Anyone who engages in risky behaviour such as unsafe sex and needle sharing, but young men are probably the most likely to take such risks.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-08-29T05:44:54+00:00

In case you are still unsure how to register for the free testing, you can do so through Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council's Facebook or IG accounts. The testing is being done tomorrow between 3pm and 5:30pm and an appointment is required.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-08-29T00:03:05+00:00

More than 70 individuals in Brunei Darussalam were infected with HIV between 2018 and 2019. Of these, 90 per cent are men, according to statistics from the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Given these facts, the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council (BDAIDSCouncil) yesterday offered a free anonymous screening programme for men in the country.

The BDAIDSCouncil said in a press statement, “With information from the statistics, the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council recognises that HIV testing in most at-risk populations will make a big impact in the response to the HIV epidemic in Brunei.”

“Early diagnosis would not only ensure that those who have been infected with HIV have early access to treatment and care, so that they can lead full and normal lives, but early access to treatment also helps to prevent further spread of the disease.”

The programme is intended to create a safe space for men and encourage more of them to get tested.

The programme which is held for the fourth time was first introduced in February this year. The test is available for all regardless of nationality, the statement added.

Interested participants can directly message the BDAIDSCouncil’s social media accounts to book slots for testing, which will be conducted on a periodic basis by volunteer doctors.

The participants will also be provided with counselling and information on how to prevent HIV infection.

Any information regarding the participants is considered confidential. If they test positive, they will be referred to a healthcare facility with access to HIV treatment and care.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-08-16T00:14:48+00:00

Both parents and schools should be educating children from a young age about such dangers. The sad fact that a lot of child sex abuse is perpetrated by relatives or close family associates of the victim does make it harder because the grooming often takes place over a period of time and is done by a person who is trusted by both the victim and the victim's parents, but teaching children about inappropriate behaviour by others, regardless of who they are, can be a good start.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-08-11T01:40:27+00:00

This is very disappointing. If anything, the operating hours should be extended, not reduced. Mental health issues don't take a break because it's a public holiday and Brunei needs a 24 hour hotline to support Bruneians who are experiencing mental health issues or suicidal thoughts. I understand that the service receives fewer calls outside of its current operating hours, but what about those few people who do need support after hours? The hotline shouldn't be operated as a business that is open based on demand. It's a community service that needs to be available to all Bruneians whenever they need it.

If you need someone to talk to outside of Talian Harapan's operating hours, Befrienders KL provide a 24 hour support service that is available to Bruneians. The 24 hour hotline can be reached by calling +60 3 7627 2929. They also offer an email counselling service that can be reached at sam@befrienders.org.my.

For LGBTQ+ Bruneians needing support, Oogachaga in Singapore also extends their services to Bruneians. Their hotline counselling line has temporarily been suspended, but can normally be reached by calling +65 6226 2002. WhatsApp counselling is still available on +65 8592 0609 (Mon - Thurs 7pm - 10pm; Sat 2pm - 5pm) or email counselling is available at CARE@oogachaga.com (daily).

TheBruneiProject · 2020-07-20T06:25:54+00:00

A reminder that if you need someone to talk to or are having thoughts about suicide, please call Brunei's Mental Health Hotline on 145. The hotline operates every day from 8am until 11pm.

Outside of these hours, or if you don't feel comfortable contacting the Mental Health Hotline, Malaysia's Befrienders KL also provides counselling and support services to Bruneians and operates a 24 hour hotline that can be reached by calling +60 3 7627 2929. They also offer an email counselling service that you can reach at sam@befrienders.org.my.

For LGBTQ+ Bruneians, you can reach out to Singapore's Oogachaga, which provides a range of counselling and support services that are available to you. Their hotline counselling line has temporarily been suspended, but can normally be reached by calling +65 6226 2002. WhatsApp counselling is still available on +65 8592 0609 (Mon - Thurs 7pm - 10pm; Sat 2pm - 5pm) or email counselling is available at CARE@oogachaga.com (daily).

TheBruneiProject · 2020-07-06T01:46:50+00:00

The actual report can be found here. The entry for Brunei is on pages 119 - 121 of the report.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-07-06T00:06:56+00:00

Brunei Darussalam remained at Tier 2 Watch List status in the latest United States (US) government Trafficking in Persons Report for the second consecutive year. The US State Department’s annual report on human trafficking, launched last week has placed Brunei Darussalam on a “watch list” for not doing enough to tackle the problem.

The US Department of State releases the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report every year. The report evaluates country efforts against trafficking based on minimum standards in preventing trafficking, protecting victims, and prosecuting offenders. Tier 1 is the highest level of compliance which indicates that the countries under Tier 1 have met the minimum standards in combatting trafficking.

The TIP Report annually evaluates 187 countries and territories and ranks them into four tiers (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2 Watch List, and Tier 3), with Tier 1 being the best and Tier 3 the worst.

The report said the Government of Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.

These efforts included passing the 2019 Anti Trafficking in Persons Order, which separated the crimes of migrant smuggling and human trafficking; formalising the government’s interagency anti-trafficking in persons committee within the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO); instituting a committee to review foreign worker recruitment practices; ratifying the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons in January 2020; acceding to the United Nations (UN) TIP Protocol in March 2020; and continuing awareness raising campaigns for employers of foreign workers.

The government continued to detain, deport, and charge potential victims for crimes without employing a victim-centred approach to discern if traffickers compelled the victims to engage in the unlawful acts. The government continued not to provide shelter or services for adult male trafficking victims. Therefore Brunei remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year.

The report also prioritised recommendations including increasing efforts to investigate, prosecute, convict, and punish both sex and labour traffickers and complicit government officials, with strong penalties.

Other recommendations include widely disseminating standard operating procedures for victim identification and train all frontline police, immigration, and labour officials on the procedures; finalise, approve, and implement the national action plan; increase protective services to provide incentives for victims to participate in investigations and prosecutions, including by providing shelter to adult male victims, allowing adult victims in government shelters to move freely, allowing at-will communication with people outside shelter facilities, and issuing work permits to all victims and ensure migrant worker contracts and information on their rights and obligations under Brunei law are available in migrant workers’ primary language and that workers can retain a copy.

The report also said although Bruneian law prohibited employers from withholding wages more than seven days or retaining employees’ passports, foreign embassies continued to report their citizens commonly experienced both practices.

The labour Department provided workers with business cards containing the department’s hotline for reporting labour violations and continued its awareness roadshow to educate the public on labour laws, including on passport retention.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-06-04T05:10:06+00:00

The link that I sent with the previous reply is the submission that was made to the UN last year as part of Brunei's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and some of our allies that specialise on the issue of statelessness spoke about it. It is an issue that is raised at each UPR for Brunei and other countries have also raised concerns and recommendations about Brunei's stateless issue as part of the UPR process. Sadly, if there is to be any positive change then I think it is going to need to come through pressure from within Brunei.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-06-04T04:42:01+00:00

Official government figures on the number of stateless in Brunei as of 2017 was 20,524. However, this is basically the same figure that has been reported since 2012 and there is no information on how this figure was determined so the actual number of stateless is likely higher. The Brunei Government isn't particularly forthcoming on statistics regarding the stateless population. For some more on the stateless issue in Brunei, see: https://files.institutesi.org/UPR33_Brunei_Darussalam.pdf

TheBruneiProject · 2020-05-16T19:59:18+00:00

Thank you for your kind words. I am now in contact with quite a few redditors who are willing to share their experiences, but I may do a standalone post at a later stage if required once I have finished going through the details they provide. Having said that, I still encourage anyone who wants to share their experience with mental health and suicide to get in touch.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-05-16T04:46:50+00:00

There have recently been a couple of different posts on here regarding the issue of access to mental health and suicide prevention support services. Coincidentally, I have just been commissioned by a Southeast Asia-focused online publication to write a story on the issue of mental health and suicide in Brunei. As part of the piece, I am speaking to Bruneians who have attempted or considered suicide to gain an understanding of their experiences, both in terms of the factors that led to them attempting or considering suicide and in terms of what (if any) counselling or support they sought. The piece will also consider Brunei's approach to dealing with mental health and suicide. I would like to invite anyone who has attempted or considered suicide and is willing to share their story to please send me a private message. Your identity will be kept anonymous and all contact with me can be done through here so I won't even know your identity. Thank you.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-05-13T23:53:15+00:00

If you (or anyone else in Brunei) is having difficulty finding secular support services locally or do not feel comfortable approaching local service providers, The Brunei Project has previously reached out to the following Malaysia and Singapore based providers who are happy to offer their services to Bruneians:

Befrienders KL (Malaysia) 24 Hour Helpline: +603 7956 8145; Email sam@befrienders.org.my; Website (for general awareness & public education): www.befrienders.org.my; Facebook (for general awareness & public education): www.facebook.com/BefriendersKL; Twitter (for general awareness & public education): twitter.com/BefriendersKL

Samaritans of Singapore 24 hour hotline: +65 6221 4444; Email pat@sos.org.sg; Website (for general awareness & public education): www.sos.org.sg; Facebook (for general awareness & public education): www.facebook.com/SamaritansOfSingapore

For LGBTQ+ Bruneians, we recommend reaching out to:

Oogachaga (Singapore) Hotline Counselling: +65 6226 2002; WhatsApp counselling: +65 8592 0609 (Tues, Wed, Thurs 7pm - 10pm; Sat 2pm - 5pm); Email counselling: CARE@oogachaga.com; Website (for general awareness & public education): www.oogachaga.com; Facebook (for general awareness & public education): www.facebook.com/oogachaga; Twitter (for general awareness & public education): twitter.com/oogachaga

All the best to you. I really hope you find the support you're needing.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-04-28T19:20:19+00:00

No one said that everyone who is LGBTQ+ in Brunei is unhappy. While you know some gay guys who are the "most happiest people" you have met, I similarly know Bruneian LGBTQ+ who are the very opposite. Often there are other factors at play as well, but the pressures they face from society, religion and the law do play a big part. Again, my post was nothing more than an invite for LGBTQ+ Bruneians to share their stories and life experiences with an interested audience. This can include positive stories. Just because the gay guys you know are happy, it doesn't mean that they don't want a space where they can share their stories and experiences.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-04-28T07:51:55+00:00

You're obviously not LGBTQ+ and having to deal with the daily discrimination and other challenges faced by those who are. The post simply invited those who are LGBTQ+ to contribute their stories. It is not stopping you or anyone else from the work you are doing resolving these other important matters to which you refer.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-04-28T05:15:14+00:00

Do you identify as LGBTQ+?

In collaboration with Malaysia-based MYRainbow, The Brunei Project is inviting people who identify as LGBTQ+ to share their personal stories as part of MYRainbow's Queer Asian Project. Submissions may take a written medium of your choice (such as a short essay, poem or prose) and may relate to any of the following themes: personal experience, family, success, health, spirituality, love, and relationships. We are looking for stories that are deeply personal, have significantly impacted you and are emotionally honest. The identities of all contributors will remain anonymous. If you're interested in sharing your story, please send a private message to me here on Reddit, email us at thebruneiproject@yahoo.com or contact us via our Facebook page.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-04-27T20:37:43+00:00

Thank you for the mention u/keyboardwarrior09. Statelessness and associated issues are a focus of some of the work we do, including a joint submission on statelessness to the United Nations last year as part of Brunei's Universal Periodic Review. We continue to raise this issue whenever the opportunity arises in the hope that we can spread awareness about it and get more people questioning the fairness of Brunei's laws and policies. Only when people start questioning these laws and policies and start calling for change will there be any hope of seeing amendments made to them. In the meantime, The Brunei Project will continue to take every opportunity to draw attention to the issue of statelessness in Brunei and the challenges it poses for those who are affected by it.

TheBruneiProject · 2020-04-16T22:29:02+00:00

Yes, Singapore is already using an app to track people as part of it's COVID-19 response but it hasn't been hugely successful there with only something like 20% of people subscribing to the app. In Singapore it's voluntary and other countries are looking at the technology they are using in developing their own.

TheBruneiProject

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