Rentap (second left) places his palm on the launching gimmick device to officiate the Sarawak International Conference on Youth Mental Health.
KUCHING (July 28) Mental health must no longer be treated as a taboo subject, and the society must work collectively to end the stigma surrounding it, said Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu.
The Deputy Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister said many people still shied away from acknowledging mental health issues for fear of being labeled or misunderstood.
“They are afraid of being stigmatised and that the whole community might think they are crazy.
“We should not do that, because everybody is special. If you think you have some form of mental health issues or illness, please come forward,” he said at the opening ceremony of the Sarawak International Conference on Youth Mental Health at a hotel here today.
Noting the changing landscape of mental health across generations, Rentap said today’s young people face unique challenges fuelled by technology, social media pressure and the fear of missing out.
“I was told that even children as young as five years old have been diagnosed with anxiety problems.
“So, don’t let young children play with mobile phones. Let them do something else because social media and technology also brings about a lot of responsibility and challenges,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of community support and open conversations and called for collective action in addressing mental health challenges.
“We need to be there for each other by offering a listening ear and not add to the pressure.
“Mental health tends to be sidelined because it is associated with stigma in society, but this must stop,” he said.
On the conference, Rentap said there will be ‘Untold Stories’ session featuring powerful accounts from the Mental Illness Awareness & Support Association (Miasa), the SAPOT Mental Health App, and Yayasan Dee Hati, offering lived realities and first-hand experiences that rarely get a platform in mainstream discourse.
“This conference is not merely a gathering of ideas – it is a call to action. It represents a collective awakening to the urgent need to address youth mental health not just through conversation, but through concrete policies, inclusive practices, and sustained collaboration.”
He also said that the conference, themed ‘Driving Inclusivity in Youth Mental Wellness’, serves as a space where diverse voices, especially those of young people, are not only heard but empowered to shape the future.
“Together, we are not just discussing solutions; we are building a movement that champions empathy, equity, and action at every level of society.
“By bringing together experts, scholars, youth leaders, and policymakers under one roof, we are saying: “No more silence. Let’s build a better, healthier, and more inclusive future for our youth.”,” said Rentap.
More than 300 youth delegates are participating in the two-day conference organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development in collaboration with the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia.