![\"Participants](\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2025\/10\/30\/3597766.jpg\")
Participants practising mindfulness by closing their eyes and being in the moment.<\/p>\nHave you ever felt so sad, not just momentarily, but persistently \u2013 that even the simplest things feel heavy?<\/p>\n
You wake up tired, unmotivated and unsure when this feeling will end.<\/p>\n
Day after day, it lingers.<\/p>\n
At some point, you start to feel like you\u2019re no longer yourself.<\/p>\n
According to general psychiatrist at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital, Dr Choy Seng Kit, sadness is a normal human emotion \u2013 but it\u2019s not the same as depression.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are three key differences that separate normal sadness from depression,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThink about a recent event that made you sad \u2013 perhaps a loss, a major change, or even no clear reason at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sadness, he said, usually comes with only a few symptoms.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may feel low or lose your appetite, but you can still experience moments of happiness or pleasure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s temporary, lasting hours or days, and you\u2019re still able to go about daily life, whether it\u2019s studying, working, or doing chores,\u201d said Dr Choy.<\/p>\n
Depression, on the other hand, is deeper and far more complex.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sadness is constant and overwhelming, and those affected often find it almost impossible to feel joy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe condition typically lasts at least two weeks, often much longer, and causes significant emotional distress and impairment.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople may lose interest in hobbies, struggle to function and feel little motivation to study or work,\u201d said Dr Choy, who was speaking at the recent StarLive workshop on Behind the Smile: Discover the Hidden Reality of Depression.<\/p>\n
When most people picture depression, they imagine someone visibly sad, withdrawn, or unable to get out of bed.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s another form \u2013 smiling depression \u2013 where individuals hide their pain behind a cheerful fa\u00e7ade.<\/p>\n
Dr Choy explained: \u201cIt could be a mother laughing with her child while battling exhaustion inside; a colleague who seems lively in meetings but stares blankly at the screen afterwards; or a student saying, \u2018I\u2019m fine,\u2019 while sinking into an invisible emotional void.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stigma still lingers<\/p>\n
Malaysia has only about 500 psychiatrists and a similar number of clinical psychologists, which translates to roughly one specialist for every 65,000 people.<\/p>\n
Despite improvements over the years, it\u2019s still below the World Health Organization\u2019s (WHO) recommended ratio of one per 10,000 in developed nations.<\/p>\n
But according to Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) president Professor Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj, the bigger problem isn\u2019t the shortage \u2013 it\u2019s that many still don\u2019t seek help.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur culture in Malaysia and across the region still carries a heavy stigma around mental illness \u2013 and that stigma shapes how we approach mental health,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Prof Andrew noted that many Malaysians still turn to sinsehs, go to samis or bomohs before consulting a psychiatrist or psychologist.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re often their last resort,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome have spent RM20,000 on alternative treatments, yet when told a psychiatrist\u2019s consultation costs RM300, they\u2019re shocked, \u2018So expensive for 15 minutes?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
This reaction, he added, reflects a deep-rooted misunderstanding of what mental healthcare truly involves.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd really, we can\u2019t fully blame them.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany fear being labelled \u2018crazy\u2019 just for seeking help.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis fear of judgement and discrimination is one of the biggest barriers, and something we all need to work together to change,\u201d he said.Participants practising mindfulness by closing their eyes and being in the moment.<\/p>\n
Finding calm within<\/p>\n
Clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at HELP Education Group, Puvessha Jegathisan, introduced one of the most widely used evidence-based therapies in clinical psychology: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).<\/p>\n
CBT focuses on the link between thoughts, emotions and behaviours.<\/p>\n
Puvessha explained how negative thoughts like \u201cI\u2019m useless\u201d can trigger sadness and hopelessness, leading to withdrawal and loss of motivation \u2013 a vicious cycle that deepens depression.<\/p>\n
Through CBT, therapists help individuals recognise and challenge unhelpful thoughts, understand their emotions, and adopt healthier behaviours.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal is to help people re-engage with life, rebuild motivation and regain a sense of control,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
During the session, Puvessha encouraged participants to reflect on two things that made them happy the previous day, no matter how small.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven brief, pleasant moments count,\u201d she reminded.<\/p>\n
\u201cPractising this daily helps the mind notice positives and maintain perspective when challenges arise.\u201d<\/p>\n
She then introduced mindfulness \u2013 the practice of being fully present in the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor those struggling with depression or anxiety, mindfulness prevents the mind from drifting into the past or future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThinking about the past brings guilt or sadness, while worrying about the future fuels anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cStaying grounded helps calm the mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mindfulness, she explained, can be as simple as tuning into the senses \u2013 noticing what you can hear, see, smell, touch or taste.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you close your eyes and focus on the sounds around you, your mind isn\u2019t caught up in worries.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s mindfulness, living in the now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Finally, Puvessha emphasised the importance of connection and seeking help.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not easy to say, \u2018I\u2019m struggling,\u2019 but talking to one trusted person can make a huge difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cStay connected, even when depression makes you want to withdraw. And don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to a psychologist, counsellor or psychiatrist.<\/p>\n
\u201cAsking for help isn\u2019t weakness, it\u2019s courage,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Puvessha said that mental and physical health are deeply intertwined.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes it\u2019s hard to separate the two, they work in synergy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen people come in with mental health issues, we always have to rule out physical health problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cSimilarly, when someone seeks treatment for physical symptoms, doctors should also consider possible mental health factors,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
After the talk, a Q&A session allowed participants to share personal experiences, raise questions and discuss myths surrounding mental health.<\/p>\n
Finding strength in shared stories<\/p>\n
For government officer Ibrahim Hussein, 44, living with stage three cancer for the past three years has taught him that feeling low at times is only human.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s normal to feel depressed sometimes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut with the right knowledge and coping tips, it doesn\u2019t affect us as much.\u201d![\"This](\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2025\/10\/30\/3597760.jpg\")
This is the second time Rashid with his wife Rafidah Rashid are attending the StarLive workshop to pick up valuable skills.<\/p>\n
Ibrahim, who oversees mental health cases among prisoners in Negeri Sembilan, said many inmates with untreated conditions had reached a critical state.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why I came here, to gain more awareness about mental health, especially as the numbers keep rising,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n
He believes education and open dialogue are key to change.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important for us to understand mental health better, and I plan to share what I\u2019ve learned with my colleagues to spread that awareness further.\u201d<\/p>\n
Administrator Tan Shin Mei, 29, came to the session because she believes many people around her may be struggling silently with depression.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey might have depression, but they don\u2019t want to accept it,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat made me want to learn more ways to help others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through the session, Tan said she realised that supporting someone with depression can also take a toll on one\u2019s own emotions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we talk to people who are struggling, we can sometimes get emotionally affected too,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For Adriene Teh, 60, caring for her elderly mother was both rewarding and emotionally exhausting.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a full-time carer can be quite overwhelming and stressful,\u201d she admitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m always conscious of my mental health, but I also worry a lot about my mum, which adds to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes, I get agitated when something triggers me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
This workshop offered practical insights, not just for those living with depression, but also for caregivers and friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe general tips shared were very helpful \u2013 things like listening, enjoying small moments and practising mindfulness.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll those little steps can make a big difference,\u201d Teh said.<\/p>\n
Rashid Esoofi, 87, attended the StarLive workshop for the second time together with his wife.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cPeople often think those with mental health problems are detached from society,<\/p>\n
\u201cBut today\u2019s session taught me that they actually need attention and understanding, not isolation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis event is a great platform to remind us that those affected should be included, not excluded.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prof Andrew concluded: \u201cThere\u2019s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.<\/p>\n
\u201cDepression is a condition like any other physical illness, just as common, but often easier to treat.<\/p>\n
\u201cNormalising conversations about mental health helps break stigma and encourages people to seek support.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more we talk about it, the closer we get to a society that truly supports those who are struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Organised by Star Media Group, the workshop held at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, brought together more than 100 participants.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Have you ever felt so sad, not just momentarily, but persistently \u2013 that even the simplest things feel…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":272690,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[49,48,6319,84,393,394,124977],"class_list":{"0":"post-272689","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mental-health","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-depression","11":"tag-health","12":"tag-mental-health","13":"tag-mentalhealth","14":"tag-starlive"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272689","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=272689"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272689\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/272690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=272689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=272689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=272689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}