KUCHING – In conjunction with World Mental Health Day 2025, Kuching City FC (KCFC) and Mentari Malaysia mounted a joint programme at the State Stadium, Petra Jaya, aimed at elevating public awareness of mental wellness through the medium of sport.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Chief Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak and Chairman of KCFC.
He underlined that mental wellbeing is integral to nurturing a productive and resilient society. “We must understand and accept that mental health is part of our lives. When society can accept and understand this, only then can we move forward to help each other,” he remarked.
He praised the effort by KCFC to harness sports as a vehicle for mental support and recovery, aligning with broader aims to bolster social wellness across Sarawak.
“Kuching City FC is taking a step today … we also call on our friends out there to join in helping our friends in Mentari … for the good of all Sarawakians,” he said. He added that such initiatives echo the state’s wider aspiration to achieve social, economic, and mental balance by 2030.
On behalf of Mentari Malaysia, Dr Zuria Idura (from Hospital Sentosa) remarked that the collaboration is part of the organisation’s rebranding to remove stigma associated with mental health.
“We are rebranding to reject stigma. Along with today’s theme, we want to reject stigma and empower mental health recovery through sports,” he said.
Mentari is the restructured name for the former Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC) programme under the Ministry of Health. It emphasises early intervention, community reintegration, and destigmatisation of mental illness.
The programme offers psychiatric and psychological services at community level and aims to promote mental health, screening, and support.
The event included interactive sessions and casual sports involving KCFC players and participants linked with Mentari, illustrating the ongoing collaboration between the realms of athletics and mental health in Sarawak.
Also present were Iswandi Ali Hassan (KCFC CEO), club coaches, health officers, and a diverse array of participants.
In recent years, the Malaysian government has intensified focus on mental health. Mentari Malaysia now operates in many states, offering community-based psychiatric, psychological, and rehabilitative supports.
In Malaysia overall, mental health disorders have drawn increasing attention due to rising prevalence, societal stressors, and gaps in access and stigma.
By combining sport and mental health awareness, the KCFC–Mentari collaboration aims to reach broader audiences and foster a culture where mental wellbeing is discussed, supported and normalized.
With growing evidence that physical activity supports psychological resilience, such cross-sector initiatives may help break down barriers and encourage dialogue, early help and communal support.