BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

MENTAL HEALTH ACTION PLAN

2022 - 2025
TOGETHER ENSURING A MENTALLY HEALTHY
AND RESILIENT NATION
 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
MENTAL HEALTH ACTION PLAN
2022 - 2025
ISBN 978-99917-50-19-4
First published in Brunei Darussalam 2022

Copyright © Editorial Committee for

Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025

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Editorial Committee for Brunei Darussalam
Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025

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Secretariat:
Editorial Committee for
Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025

Health Promotion Centre, Ministry of Health

Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Tel: +6732385800
Fax: +6732384223
Website: http://www.moh.gov.bn/Pages/Hhomes.aspx
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni
Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien,
Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam
 TITAH EXCERPT
of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin
Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali
Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien,
Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam

on the occasion of the Hari Raya Aidil Adha 1443H / 2022M

Due to the threat of the pandemics and calamities, some

organisations and experts are warning about the existence of
negative effects on mental and physical health. Amongst the
warnings was from the United Nations (UN) who reported
that: Almost one billion of the world's population, including
millions of children and young people, suffer from mental
health disorders.

Mental disorders can occur due to a worried heart or extreme

fear, thus making it possible for the sufferer to need several
types of treatment such as psychotherapy counseling and
psychotropic medication from the mental health doctors
and professionals.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WHO - WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL OFFICE

MINISTRY OF HEALTH BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMY

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

MINISTRY OF CULTURE, YOUTH AND SPORTS

MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

UNIVERSITI BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

COPE FOR HOPE

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM RED CRESCENT

 CONTENTS

TITAH EXCERPT
Excerpt from Titah of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar
‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien,
Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam

1 6
MESSAGE SETTING THE SCENE
From the Introduction
Minister of Health

2 7
FOREWORD DEVELOPING THE
From the MENTAL HEALTH
Permanent Secretary ACTION PLAN
2022 – 2025
3 8
VISION & MISSION APPENDIX

4 9
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES GLOSSARY
& REFERENCES

5 10
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN MOH DIRECTORY
 MESSAGE
from The Honourable
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar
Minister of Health

All praises be to Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala,

salawat and salam upon our beloved Prophet
Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam, his
family, companions and faithful and honest
followers till the end of time.

Alhamdulillah, with the blessings of Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, it is with great

honour and pleasure that I present the Brunei Darussalam Mental Health
Action Plan 2022 – 2025. Mental health and well-being is an integral
component of WHO’s definition of health. Good mental health enables people to
realise their potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively,
and contribute to their communities. Mental health matters and as has been
mentioned before, there is no health without mental health. Alhamdulillah, the
Ministry of Health has made remarkable progress in establishing various mental
health services, in the primary care setting to the provision of tertiary in-patient
care. However, much work has yet to be done to promote mental health and
well-being for all as well as address any gaps in the current health system;
indeed, a holistic mental health agenda, such as the Brunei Darussalam Mental
Health Action Plan, is a crucial step to achieve these.

The noncommunicable disease (NCDs) burden that Brunei is facing and will
continue to face, has ramifications on our mental health burden and health
system response. NCDs often co-exist with common mental disorders and they
share many risk factors. NCD risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy eating
and physical inactivity are also commonly found in people with mental disorders.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic further accentuated the gaps and challenges
faced by both the public and the health system, including personnel, in
addressing mental health issues thus reflecting the need for better competencies
within the system and more resilience among our people. Additionally, more
scientific evidence related to the local mental health burden needs to be

1
established as baselines to guide the development of relevant policies and
programmes in the country and to monitor mental health trends in the
population.

The Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan therefore, aims to further
strengthen our mental health system, policies and programmes in a more
coordinated, structured and cohesive manner involving a variety of stakeholders
from both health and non-health sectors, whilst simultaneously, ensure efforts to
end stigma, fear and discrimination surrounding mental health, particularly,
against persons with mental illness and psychosocial disabilities.

This action plan is aligned with WHO’s Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan
2013-2030 and takes into consideration, Brunei Darussalam’s needs and
priorities for the next four years. As a result, four major strategies have been
identified, which includes, strengthening effective leadership and governance
for mental health, strengthening mental health services by ensuring the
availability and accessibility of comprehensive quality mental health services,
strengthening mental health promotion and mental illness prevention, and
developing capacity for national information systems and research for mental
health. Several priority actions have been identified for the next four years as a
start and will hopefully pave the way to build on current initiatives.

This action plan will serve as a roadmap for all stakeholders from many different
departments within and outside the Ministry of Health, and from all levels and
sectors of the community to work together to address a set of actions to promote
and ensure good mental health and well-being for our people. The actions
identified also aims to support one of the goals of Brunei’s National Vision 2035
in attaining the highest quality of lives of our people as well as Sustainable
Development Goal 3 of ensuring good health and well-being for all at all ages.

Lastly, I wish to commend all those involved in the development of our very first
mental health action plan for the country; I sincerely appreciate all your active
contribution and commitment in making this action plan a reality. Let us now
keep the momentum going and continue to work together as a nation in
implementing the Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025.
Insha – Allah, with the full cooperation and commitment from all levels, together
we can make Brunei Darussalam a mentally healthy and resilient nation.

2
 FOREWORD
from Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health

Good mental health and well – being are

essential for all of us to lead fulfilling lives, to
realize our full potential, to participate
productively in our communities, and to
demonstrate resilience in the face of stress and
adversity. This is why the mental health and wellbeing of all our people has
and will continue to be one of the Ministry of Health’s priority, now more than
ever, in these challenging times.

Incredible efforts and significant achievements have been made in recent

years on mental health in the country, from the enactment of our Mental
Health Order 2014, Brunei Darussalam, to gradually expanding our
hospital-based Psychiatry and Psychology services to selected health centres
in the community; establishing a Mental Health Strategy Unit in the Health
Promotion Centre in 2017 to focus more on mental health and well-being
promotion, as well as the introduction of our national mental health helpline,
Talian Harapan 145 in 2019, in our efforts to ensure our services are
accessible to those who need them.

The Ministry of Health stands firm in its vision - Together Towards a Healthy
Nation. In this regard, I am pleased to share that the Brunei Darussalam
Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025 was developed through a series of
inter-sectoral consultations with various stakeholders as well as key
non-governmental organisations and community representatives, who have
a role to play in promoting mental health in the country. We have not only
sought input from experts from the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries,
but also individuals with mental illness, their families and carers, and their
service providers. As a result, 4 strategies, 13 priority actions and 32
activities have been identified to focus on, as a consensus in this very first
multisectoral action plan on mental health.

3
This plan builds on our significant past achievements by committing ourselves
to not only strengthen leadership and governance in mental health, but also
reinforce our mental health services and support systems, strengthen our
mental health promotion and mental disorders prevention efforts and
building research capacity on mental health. These strategies reflect the
Ministry of Health’s commitment to addressing mental health
comprehensively and collectively, in phases, beyond the current services that
are provided. I, therefore, hope that in the next four years, all of us who were
involved in the Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025
development process will continue to work closely together to implement the
various actions and activities identified effectively. We also look forward and
welcome support from potential partners who wish to join us in promoting
good mental health and well-being for our people.

We want all Bruneians to have the right knowledge and tools or mental health
literacy, support and services they need to manage their mental health and
wellbeing, through all stages and experiences of their lives. To achieve this,
we as a community, must continue our focus on reducing stigma, fear and
discrimination associated with mental health, particularly in reaching out for
help as well as for mental health and well-being support and services. To this
end, the Ministry of Health will continue to engage and communicate with all
stakeholders and the public on various aspects of mental health, utilizing
different platforms and approaches to reach all.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all

Ministry of Health personnel, particularly from the Health Promotion Centre,
as well as all the invited participants to our dialogues and consultations, for
all your contributions, support and commitment in the development of Brunei
Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025. It is also my hope that we
will continue to work together to keep mental health and well-being at the top
of our minds when we set direction, make decisions and implement actions at
the Ministry of Health.

Lastly, mental health and wellbeing is everyone’s business and responsibility.

Let us work together to make Brunei Darussalam a mentally healthy and
resilient nation.

4
OUR VISION
TOGETHER TOWARDS A HEALTHY NATION

OUR MISSION
TO ENSURE BRUNEI DARUSSALAM AS
A MENTALLY HEALTHY AND RESILIENT NATION

5
 OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Brunei Darussalam Mental
Health Action Plan 2022-2025 is envisioned to be driven by the
following key values:

1. Mental health is a fundamental part of general health and

well-being, and everyone should benefit from the best possible
measures to promote their mental well-being.

2. Everyone in need, should have access to the appropriate and

integrated mental health care that is evidence – based.

3. All individuals with mental health problems must have their

rights respected, and must be free from stigma, discrimination,
prejudice, and neglect.

4. Effective partnership and active participation of all society and

the whole-of-government is essential.

6
 THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Implementation of the Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action

Plan 2022 – 2025 will be carried out under the existing multisectoral
mechanisms such as the Multisectoral Taskforce for Health (MSTH)
and Cross Functional Teams (CFT) as well as the MOH Executive
Committee.

The Health Promotion Centre will be the coordinating secretariat for

Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022 – 2025.

The Multisectoral Taskforce for Health was first formed in 2017.

The committee is chaired by the Minister of Health, with members
comprising various Permanent Secretaries from other government
ministries. To date, there are five Cross Functional Teams (CFTs) that
are responsible for the implementation of health actions which are
described under these five different themes:

1 – Giving every child the best start in life

2 – Improving Brunei’s food environment
3 – Supporting active communities
4 – Reducing Smoking
5 – Ensuring a mentally healthy and resilient nation

The members of the CFTs consisted of representatives from

government organisations as well as private sectors, academics
and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

7
 UNITED
WHO MENTAL
NATIONS WAWASAN HEALTH
SUSTAINABLE BRUNEI
DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN
GOAL 3
2035 2013 - 2030

BRUNEI
MULTI-SECTORAL
TASKFORCE DARUSSALAM MINISTRY
FOR HEALTH- MENTAL HEALTH OF
CROSS ACTION PLAN HEALTH
FUNCTIONAL TEAM FOR BRUNEI
(MENTAL HEALTH)
2022-2025 DARUSSALAM
STRATEGY

STRATEGY

STRATEGY

STRATEGY

21 2 3 4

8
SETTING THE SCENE

9
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
TO EVERYONE

It is an integral part of our health and well-being, as reflected in

the Constituition of the World Health Organisation: “Health is a
state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

Each of us will experience our mental health differently and

uniquely. And, within this unique experience, there will be
common elements that we share. Social attitudes toward mental
health matter, so do good jobs, stable and affordable housing,
liveable cities, resilient communities as well as healthy families.
Along with that, responsive and supportive government services
are equally important too, such as education, financial, welfare,
healthcare, and emergency services. The services that provide
specialised support to people with mental illness in both clinical
and community settings are also particularly important. And that
is why mental health is everyone’s business.

Mental health, like the other aspects of health, can be affected

and influenced by a range of socioeconomic factors which include
poverty, lack of social protection, poor living standards,
unhealthy working environments, chronic health conditions,
alcohol and substance use disorders and violence in conflicts,
natural disasters and situations of abuse. All these factors need to
be addressed through comprehensive, promotion, prevention,
treatment and recovery in a whole-of-government approach.

10
 GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH
STATUS
According to the WHO in 2018, one in four people in the world is
affected by mental and neurological disorders at some point in their
lives. And, approximately 450 million people suffer from such
conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of
ill-health and disability worldwide. In 2019, this number has reportedly
risen to nearly a billion people – including 14% of the world’s
adolescents were living with a mental disorder.

Depression alone accounts for 4.4% of global burden of disease, and is

amongst the largest single cause of disability worldwide (11% of all
years lived with disability globally), particularly for women. Childhood
sexual abuse and bullying victimization are the major causes of
depression.

WHO reported that the consequences of these health losses are equally
large; a recent study estimated that the cumulative global impact of
mental disorders in terms of lost economic output will amount to
US$16.3 trillion between 2011 and 2030. In many societies, mental
disorders related to marginalization and impoverishment, domestic
violence and abuse, and overwork and stress are becoming growing
concern, especially for women’s health. People with severe mental
health conditions experience disproportionately higher rates of
disability and mortality. Latest report by WHO highlighted that people
with these conditions die 10 to 20 years earlier than the general
population; many owing to preventable physical health diseases that
are often left unattended (particularly NCDs such as cancers,
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and HIV infection) and suicide.
Suicide accounted for more than 1 in 100 deaths and it presents as the
second leading cause of death among young people (15 to 29 year old)
worldwide.

11
 Globally, health systems have not yet adequately responded to the
burden of mental disorders. Hence, there is a large gap between the
need for treatment and its provision happening all over the world.
According to WHO, between 76% and 85% of people with severe
mental disorders receive no treatment for their disorder in low-income
and middle-income countries whereas the corresponding range for
high-income countries is also high: between 35% and 50%. Another
compounding issue is the scarcity of resources within countries to meet
mental health needs. WHO indicated that in low-income countries,
there are less than one mental health worker per 100,000 population
and countries spend just 2% of their health budget on mental health.
And certainly, in the last two years or so, social and economic
inequalities, public health emergencies, war, and the climate crisis are
among the global, structural threats to mental health and well-being of
the world’s population. WHO reported Depression and Anxiety went up
by more than 25% during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic
alone.

1 IN 4 PEOPLE IN THE WORLD IS

AFFECTED BY MENTAL AND NEUROLOGICAL
DISORDERS AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES
HIGHLIGHTS

4.4% OF GLOBAL BURDEN OF

DISEASE IS DUE TO DEPRESSION

SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING

CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE
(15 TO 29 YEAR OLD) WORLDWIDE

HALF OF ALL MENTAL DISORDERS START

AT THE AGE OF 14 YEARS OLD

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY WENT UP BY

MORE THAN 25% DURING THE
FIRST YEAR OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

12
 MENTAL HEALTH STATUS IN THE REGION

According to the 2019 Global Burden of Disease report, disability-

adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to Anxiety and Depressive
Disorders, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of
Dementia, and self-harm increased significantly in the region from
1990 to 2019. In fact, among those aged 10 to 39 years, DALYs from
mental health conditions were found higher than those attributed to
sexually transmitted infections, chronic respiratory diseases,
cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Suicide continues to be a leading
cause of death among young people, and for every death, there are
many more suicide attempts, creating lasting impacts among families
and loved ones. It is estimated over 215 million people suffer from
mental health conditions in the Western Pacific Region.

Furthermore, the emergence of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in

2020 across the world has also exacerbated these public mental health
issues, including in this region. The WHO estimated that the prevalence
of anxiety and depression may have increased by more than 25%
during the first year of the pandemic, with young people and women as
the most affected. Also, stay-at home orders, school and work closures,
economic uncertainty, and the general disruption of daily life have
created an environment that amplifies pre-existing mental health
stressors.

13
MENTAL HEALTH STATUS IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE

GENERAL POPULATION

Over the years, the burden

of mental illnesses in Brunei
Darussalam is notably high
and increasing. Depression
and Anxiety Disorders are
the most common mental
illness in the country.

The reports of suicide are also “on the rise” – from the average 5 cases
reported in 2010 – 2015, to an average of 10 cases in 2016 to 2020.
About 7000 people (approximately 1.5% of the country’s population)
are reportedly treated for mental illness, where the Psychiatry
Department of the main hospital in the country, Raja Isteri Pengiran
Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS) shared that up to 40 new adult cases and
about 600 follow-up cases are seen each month by the Adult
Psychiatry Services. Whereas, their Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Services are seeing about 10 new cases and 500 follow-up cases each
month. Similar increasing patterns are also reported by the Psychology
Services, where it was noted that the psychologists are currently
attending to 400 – 600 cases per month. These numbers were recorded
prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and are expected to considerably
increase further post pandemic. This was certainly reflected in the
number of distress calls received by the national mental health
helpline, the Talian Harapan 145. During the second phase of the
Covid-19 pandemic, the helpline recorded an 8% increase in the
number of calls related to Covid-19 mental health issues.

14
 MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE WORKING
POPULATION

Work is a social determinant of mental health and both are integrally

intertwined. Meaningful work is a protective factor of mental health;
it contributes to a person’s sense of accomplishment, confidence and
their earnings, and contributes to recovery and inclusion for people
living with psychosocial disabilities. Work can also be a platform for
amplifying wider issues which negatively affect mental health.
These issues may include discrimination and inequality based on
socio-demographic factors such as age, disability, gender identity,
race, ethnicity and religious beliefs. There are also issues such as
workplace bullying and harassment. Additionally, there are also other
emerging risks seen as the culture of work changes over time, or as a
result of major societal events such as a global pandemic like the
Covid-19 or conflict. In 2022, WHO estimated 12 billion workdays are
lost every year worldwide because of depression and anxiety alone.

For Brunei Darussalam, a 2020 survey looking into the mental

well-being in workplaces carried out amongst 262 government
employees sampled from the twelve ministries, indicated in its
preliminary findings that:

17.6% of civil servants experience symptoms

of depression, 27.7% experience anxiety &
21.1% reported stress
The same survey indicated 55.5% of the
sample reported high pace work and 41%
reported high demands at work

35.4% reported experiencing burnt out &

21.6% have experienced bullying at the
workplace

7.3% experienced sexual harassment at their

workplace, 7.7% encountered threats of violence &
5.4% experienced physical violence

99% of sample showed very good levels of psychological

capital (i.e. self-efficacy, resilience, hopefulness & optimism)

15
 MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE YOUNGER
POPULATION

Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Many adolescents

experience positive mental health but it is also estimated that almost
half of all lifetime cases of mental disorders starting at the age of 14.
Physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty,
abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health
problems. Globally, the WHO estimates that 1 in 7 (14%) of adolescents
has had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. The good
news is that promoting positive mental health can prevent some
problems. For young people who do have mental health disorders, early
intervention and treatment can help lessen the impact on their lives.

Adolescence is also a vulnerable time and it is a normal part of

development for teens to experience a wide range of emotions. It is also
typical for teens to feel anxious about school or friendships, or to
experience a period of sadness following a death of a close friend or
family member. However, mental health disorders are characterised by
persistent symptoms that affect how a young person feels, thinks, and
acts. It interferes with regular activities and daily functioning, such as
relationships, schoolwork, sleeping, and eating. Hence, protecting
adolescents from adversity, promoting socio-emotional learning and
psychological well-being, and ensuring access to mental health care
and support, are critical for their health and well-being; not only during
adolescence but also into their adulthood.
The Global School Health Survey (GSHS) 2019 for Brunei Darussalam showed:

19.9% of the students reported they

had experienced suicide ideations

12.2% reported they attempted suicide

one or more times in the last year

22.5% of the students reported that they

were in a physical fight one or more times in
the last month

23.7% of the students reported they were

bullied on one or more days in the last month

19.7% of the students also reported feeling

lonely

16
PERCEPTIONS ON
MENTAL HEALTH

Brunei Darussalam with its

multi-ethnic and multi-religious
population may have different
concepts and perspectives of
mental illness and mental health.

And this suggests the ways the matter can and have been addressed
varies, and dependent on the influence of the various races and
religious beliefs. Coupled with the social stigma related to mental
illness, many people rarely admit to suffering from mental illness and
as such, they are also reluctant to seek help for their mental health
challenges.

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE “POST PANDEMIC WORLD”

For Brunei Darussalam, the nature and
prevalence of mental disorders are
comparable with other developing
countries. There are however a unique
set of circumstances that Brunei faces
when it comes to mental health issues.
These include its fast aging population
which will be faced with an increase in
aging-related challenges such as Dementia.
Also, the increase strains from work -life imbalance resulting in work and
family related stress. And now, as the world comes to live with, and learn
from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic – the toll it has taken on people’s
mental health, and the strains it exerts on our health systems, in caring for
the needs of people with newly-presenting as well as pre-existing mental
health conditions. Reflecting on these challenges, there is indeed a strong
need to invest efforts to build mental resilience amongst our (young and old)
population in order to prepare our nation for the challenges ahead.

17
 MENTAL HEALTH: TOGETHER AS ONE

Crucial mitigating factors for mental health are early detection,

population-wide intervention, as well as cost-effective and sustainable
community-based interventions particularly in areas where services
are limited.

To achieve this, the Ministry of Health understands that collaborations

between governmental and non-governmental organisations are very
much needed, to improve the delivery of mental health care, increase
community engagement in mental health preventive actions and
mental health formulations, and formulate policies and laws to
promote resilience as well as protect optimal mental health among the
population nationwide.

Thus, a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach is opted.

18
DEVELOPING THE BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
MENTAL HEALTH ACTION PLAN
2022 - 2025

19
The idea underlying the development of the Brunei Darussalam Mental
Health Action Plan 2022-2025 is to fulfil both the international and local
commitments of Ministry of Health towards improving the mental health
and well-being of the country’s population. It hopes to drive a
community-wide shift in attitudes because every one of us has a
responsibility to promote inclusion, support mental wellbeing, as well as
combat stigma and discrimination.

Recognising the need to formulate a strategic action plan to support

these commitments, four workshops were organized by the Mental Health
Strategy Unit under the Health Promotion Centre in 2019 to 2021. These
workshops which were mainly organised to develop the Action Plan, also
identified mechanisms to initiate and strengthen collaboration among the
various agencies. Additionally, these workshops also helped to attain
buy-ins and necessary stakeholder engagements.

Globally, it is recognised that promotion of mental health and well-being

and treatment of substance abuse as health priorities within the
Global Development Agenda. The Goal 3, Target 3.4 of Sustainable
Developmental Goals (SDGs) has stated that by 2030, the aim is to
reduce by one third premature mortality from NCDs through prevention
and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. In particular,
suicide rate has been identified as the indicator for mental health.

Mental health has also been identified as an important area for

accelerated implementation in the WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme
of Work (GPW13). This resulted in the updated Comprehensive Mental
Health Action Plan 2013-2030, endorsed by the 74th World Health
Assembly in decision WHA74(14) whereby, the updated plan includes
revised indicators and options for implementation, as well as updated
global targets. It also retains the emphasis on a life-course approach and
on actions to promote mental health and well-being for all, to prevent
health conditions for those at risk and to achieve universal coverage for
mental health services.

20
In Brunei Darussalam, apart from the Ministry of Health (MOH), there are
other ministries that are also presently making efforts and setting up
services to address the issues of mental health and wellbeing amongst the
Bruneian population. They include the Ministry of Culture, Youth and
Sport (MOCYS), Ministry of Defence (MOD), Ministry of Education (MOE),
Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA), and Public Service Department
under the Prime Minister Office (PMO). Other agencies and
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Big Begawan Project,
Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent, Cope For Hope, Cureheart,
EMPOWERIOR, JIWA, Majlis Belia Brunei, More to Bloom Mindfulness
(@moretobloom.bn), and others have also put efforts in addressing the
country’s mental health agenda.

These NGOs although considered new, have tremendously helped the

Ministry of Health to expand the public’s awareness on the importance of
mental health and well-being.

Generally, mental health services and programmes in this country are

provided by the government sectors through several settings via the
education institutions, primary health care services, hospitals, workplaces
as well as community centres and public spaces.

Nonetheless, looking at what has been done, more intensified efforts must
be carried out to address the social issues that contributes to the
predisposing factors of mental health problems. And this needs strong
and cohesive inter-agencies collaboration; not only between ministries,
but also between agencies and NGOs.

21
 THE OBJECTIVES OF THE
MENTAL HEALTH ACTION PLAN
The general objective of this Mental Health Action Plan is to promote
mental health and well-being, prevent mental disorders, strengthen
cost-effective and sustainable care, encourage and enhance recovery,
and reduce the mortality, morbidity, and disability for persons with
mental health problems.

Specifically, this action plan aims to further strengthen, streamline and

co-ordinate activities related to mental health. It also hopes to guide
comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health services and
support at all levels, as well as across multi-sectors by addressing the
gaps to ensure that the rights of the mentally ill to be valued, protected
and promoted.

To meet the objectives, this Mental Health Action Plan has identified
four main strategies:

1. Strengthen Effective Leadership and Governance for Mental Health

2. Strengthen Mental Health Services by ensuring the availability and

accessibility of comprehensive quality mental health services

3. Strengthen Mental Health Promotion & Mental Disorder Prevention

4. Develop Capacity for National Information Systems & Research for

Mental Health

There are 13 priority actions under these 4 strategies that have to be

carried out in the next four years.

22
 STRATEGY 1
Strengthen Effective Leadership and
Governance for Mental Health

Priority Priority Priority

Action Action Action
1 2 3
Increase Develop Optimise human
whole-of-nation Work-Life resources by
and community Balance Policy establishing a
awareness and for all centralized-pool
capacity on workplaces of trained
mental health counselors to
be outsourced
to all
ministries

23
 Priority Priority
Action Action
4 5
Empower and recognise Develop
organisations that advocate the
for mental health National Code
of Ethics

24
 STRATEGY 2
Strengthen Mental Health Services By Ensuring
The Availability and Accessibility of
Comprehensive Quality Mental Health Services

Priority Priority Priority

Action Action Action
1 2 3
Develop and Develop Develop and
offer mental health National Disaster implement
and counseling Mental Health Digital Mental
training programmes Management Health Care
at higher Guideline or
instituitions (at least) incorporate
Mental Health
in the National
Emergency
Preparedness Plan

25
 STRATEGY 3
Strengthen Mental Health Promotion
and Mental Disorder Prevention

Priority Priority Priority

Action Action Action
1 2 3
Improve the Mental Strengthen all Promote safe
Health Literacy strategies and
amongst Brunei promoting mental supportive
population to health in schools education
reduce stigma all education institutions
and institutions, and
discrimination workplaces, and workplace
in communities environment

26
STRATEGY 4
Develop Capacity for National
Information Systems & Research for
Mental Health

Priority Priority
Action Action
1 2
Establish Strengthen
Mental Health cooperation
Surveillance and collaboration
System between local
institutions,
universities and
health services
in mental health
research

27
APPENDIX

In photos: Multi-Sectoral Consultations for the Development of

Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025

28
 APPENDIX
Strategy 1: Strengthen Eīec ve Leadership and Governance for Mental Health
Priority Ac ons Processes / Ac vi es Timeline Output Indicators Stakeholders
Co-leads:
Increase whole-of-na on and
Engage consensus from all relevant PMO (AGC),MOHA
community awareness and
stakeholders in developing policies, (District Oĸce)
capacity on mental health 2023-2025
laws and services related to mental
(including MH burden, preven on
health Suppor ng Stakeholders:
and management)
MOH, MCYS
Lead:
Incorporate Mental Health Modules PMO
Mental Health modules developed
in leadership courses (EDPMO & 2023-2025
and implemented
EDPSGO) Suppor ng Stakeholders:
MOH, MOE, MCYS, MORA
Advocate for be er awareness on
the importance of mental health &
Develop Work-Life Balance Policy well - being amongst policy makers
for all workplaces To include: Lead:
- 2 day weekend (in a row) ‘Work-Life Balance' deĮned. PMO (JPA)
- Standardised working hours

29
2023-2025
- Day-care / creche facili es at Work-life Balance Policy Suppor ng Stakeholders:
workplaces developed. MOH, MOE (JSS, JPS, HED, HSE),
- Designated drop-oī points (school- MORA (JPI), MCYS
buses)
- Flexi hour op ons
- Work from home op ons

Iden fy the needs for every ministry Leads : PMO (JPA), MINDEF
Op mising human resources by for counselors
establishing a centralised pool of Counselling needs for each
2023-2025
trained counselors to be ministries are iden Įed Suppor ng Stakeholders:
outsourced to all ministries MOE (UBD, JPP, DA)

Review the current counseling

services for civil servants
 Strategy 1: Strengthen Eīec ve Leadership and Governance for Mental Health
Priority Ac ons Processes / Ac vi es Timeline Output Indicators Stakeholders
Co-leads:
Increase whole-of-na on and
Collaborate
Engage consensus
with from academic
local all relevant PMO (AGC);MOHA
community awareness and
stakeholders provide relevant
ins tu onsintodeveloping policies, (District Oĸce)
capacity on mental health 2023-2025
lawsmental
and services trainings
healthrelated to for
mental A end a set number of trainings
(including MH burden, preven on
including CPE in
counselors,health and CPE sessions quarterly Suppor ng Stakeholder:
and management).
upskilling mental health and MOH; MCYS
counselling knowledge Leads:
Incorporate Mental Health Modules PMO
Mental Health modules developed
in leadership courses (EDPMO & 2023-2025
Recruit & facilitate and
Pool of implemented
counsellors a ained,
EDPSGO)counselors' Suppor ng Stakeholder:
Lead:
alloca on for all ministries, and 2023-2025 trained and deployed to MOE, MCYS, MORA
PMO
MOH,(JPA & MPPU)
ensure sustainability of their services respec ve ministries
Advocate for be er awareness on
the importance of mental health &
Develop Work-Life Balance Policy well - being amongst policy makers
for all workplaces Provide trainings and sharing of
To include: Leads:
Conduct at least 2 trainings per
mental health-related 2022-2025

30
- 2 day weekend (inknowledge
a row) ‘Work-Life Balance'
year deĮned. PMO (JPA)
Empower and recognize ons
-with
Standardised
iden Įedworking
organisahours
organisa ons that advocate for 2023-2025
- Day-care / creche facili es at Work-life Balance Policy Suppor ng Stakeholder:
mental health (including those that Co-leads: MCYS, MOH
workplaces developed. MOH, MOE (JSS, JPS, HED, HSE),
support people with mental
- Designated
Monitor acdrop-oī points
vi es of iden (school-
Įed Iden fy organisa ons from NGOs, MORA (JPI)
disorders)
buses)
organisa ons and provide support to 2022-2025 CSOs and private companies as
- Flexi hour
their op ons
cause collabora ve partners
- Work from home op ons

Iden
Idenfy fy
therelevant stakeholders
needs for &
every ministry
Op mising human resources by Lead: PMO (JPA), MINDEF
Co-leads:
form the forcommi ee for the
counselors Conduct consulta ons with
establishing a centralised pool of 2023 Counselling needs for each
development of Na onal Code of 2023-2025 iden Įed relevant stakeholders PMO (JPA), MCYS
a ng the
Initrained development
counselors to be of ministries are iden Įed Suppor ng Stakeholder: MOE
Ethics (Commi ee established)
Na onal Code of Ethics
outsourced to all ministries (UBD, JPP,
Suppor ngDA)
Stakeholders:
MOE; MORA; MIINDEF; MOH

ate the
IniReview dra
the ing process
current of the
counseling &ŝƌƐƚĚƌĂŌŽĨĐŽĚĞ
2024-2025 developed
code
services for civil servants
 APPENDIX
APPENDIX
Strategy 1: Strengthen Eīec ve Leadership
Strategy 2:and Governance for Mental Health
Strengthen Mental
Priority Ac ons Health Services by ensuring the
Processes / Ac vi es availability and accessibility of comprehensive
Timeline Output Indicators quality mental health services
Stakeholders
Priority AcƟons Processes / AcƟviƟes Timeline Output Indicators Co-leads: Stakeholders
Increase whole-of-na on and
Engage consensus from all relevant PMO (AGC),MOHA
community awareness and Develop mental health modules for Mental Health modules for higher
stakeholders in developing policies, (District Oĸce)
Co-Leads: MOE (JPD, HED, BDLTA,
capacity on mental health higher educaƟon and life-long 2024-2025
2023-2025 educaƟon and life-long learning
laws and services related to mental h<W^dWͿ͕D/E&;WƵƐĂƚWƌŝŚĂƟŶͿ
Develop and
(including MH oīer cerƟĮed
burden, mental
preven on learning developed
health Suppor ng Stakeholders:
healthand counseling training
andmanagement)
MOH, MCYS
programmes to be oīered at
SupporƟng
Lead: Stakeholders:
higher insƟtuƟons Conduct training for lecturers in
Incorporate Modules 2024-2025 Training sessions conducted MOH,
PMO MCYS (JAPEM), MORA
relevantMental
higher Health
insƟtuƟons Mental Health modules developed (KAFA, KUPUSB)
in leadership courses (EDPMO & 2023-2025
and implemented
EDPSGO) Suppor ng Stakeholders:
Adopt & adapt WHO DIsaster Mental Development of local Disaster MOH, MOE, MCYS, MORA
Health
Advocate Managment awarenessinto
for be erGuidelines on 2022-2023 Mental Health Management
the importance context
local of mental health & Module
Develop Policy Co-Leads:
DevelopWork-Life
NaƟonal Disaster
Balance Mental well - being amongst policy makers
for all workplaces MOHA (NDMC), MCYS, MINDEF
Health Management Guideline or To include: Lead:
(at least) incorporate Mental Provide weekend
- 2 dayDisaster (in a row)
Mental Health ‘Work-Life Balance' deĮned. PMO (JPA)
SupporƟng Stakeholders:
Health in the NaƟonal Emergency - Standardised
trainings including working
Psychological
hoursFirst Number of Mental Health First Aid

31 29
2023-2025 MOH, BRCS
Preparedness Plan Day-care
Aid -for / creche
volunteers (i.e. Įrst-aid at
facili esteam, 2023-2025 Work-life
training Balance
sessions Policy
conducted Suppor ng Stakeholders:
communityworkplaces
support team, developed.
annually MOH, MOE (JSS, JPS, HED, HSE),
- Designated
community points (school-
drop-oīleaders) MORA (JPI), MCYS
buses)
- Flexi hour op ons
- Work from home op ons

Iden fy the needs for every ministry Leads : PMO (JPA), MINDEF
Op mising human resources by for counselors
establishing a centralised pool of Counselling needs for each Co-Leads:
2023-2025
trained counselors be ministries are iden Įed ng Stakeholders:
Develop and implement toDigital Integrate mental health care into Mental Health components MOH,
SupporMOFE, MTIC (AITI), EVYD
outsourced to all ministries 2022-2025 MOE (UBD, JPP, DA)
Mental Health Care BruHealth app integrated

Review the current counseling

services for civil servants
 APPENDIX
Strategy 3: Strengthen Mental Health PromoƟon & Mental Disorder PrevenƟon
Priority AcƟons Processes / AcƟviƟes Timeline Output Indicators Stakeholders
Co-Leads:
Establish a baseline on public's MOH, MCYS
2023-2025 Baseline established
mental health literacy ^ƵƉƉŽƌƟŶŐ^ƚĂŬĞŚŽůĚĞƌƐ͗
CSPS, UBD (CARe and IHS)
Create more psychoeducaƟonal Increased number of InformaƟon Lead: MOH
Improve the Mental Health materials on mental health for 2022 - 2025 EducaƟon CommunicaƟon (IEC) SupporƟng Stakeholders:
Literacy amongst Brunei public materials by 20% annually PMO (JPA, RTB, Info Dept)
populaƟon to reduce sƟgma and
Strengthen eīecƟveness of digital
discriminaƟon Increased number visiƟng traĸc
and social media plaƞorms for
2022-2025 on oĸcial digital and social media Lead: MOH
socialisaƟon on the importance of
plaƞorms by 20% annually
mental health

Integrate Mental Health Lead: MOE

Curriculum in exisiƟng subjects 2023-2025 Mental Health curriculum SupporƟng Stakeholder: MOH
(i.e. Social Studies)

32
Review & revise current mental
Strengthen all strategies promoƟng health promoƟon programmes to Improved wellbeing programmes
2022-2025 Lead: MOH (HPC)
mental health in all educaƟon idenƟfy gaps and strengthen in schools, workplaces and
^ƵƉƉŽƌƟŶŐ^ƚĂŬĞŚŽůĚĞƌƐ͗
insƟtuƟons, workplaces, and in eīecƟveness community level
MOE (UKPSTP, HSE, BHEP), PMO
communiƟes (including parents (JPA), MORA & MCYS (JAPEM),
and families) Conduct basic Mental Health Trainers idenƟĮed in all relevant BRCS
trainings for mental health 2023-2025 organisaƟons (government and
ambassadors, trainers and non-government sectors)
partners

Mental health training for

Co-Leads:
managers, supervisors, educators, 2023-2025
Promote safe and supporƟve MOE, PMO (JPA), MCYS
community leaders Training sessions and Wellness &
educaƟon insƟtuƟons and (JAPEM), MORA (BHEM), MOH
Well-being programmes SupporƟng Stakeholders:
workplace environment conducted at least twice a year MOFE, MOHA, PMO (Info Dept,
Conduct wellness and wellbeing
RTB)
programmes in educaƟon 2023-2025
insƟtuƟons and workplaces
 APPENDIX
APPENDIX
Strategy 4: Develop
Strategy Capacity for
1: Strengthen Eīec onal
Na ve Leadership on Systems
Informa and & Research
Governance for Mental
for Mental Health Health
Priority Ac ons Processes
Processes//Ac
Ac vivi es
es Timeline
Timeline Output Indicators
OutputIndicators Stakeholders
Stakeholders
A ain a na onal level comitment Lead: MOH
Co-leads:
Increase whole-of-na on and A mental health research
to ensure
Engage consensus & quality
relevantfrom data
all relevant Suppor
PMO ng Stakeholders:
(AGC),MOHA
community awareness and 2022 - 2023 commi ee made up of
stakeholders
and informa inon is collected
developing and
policies, MOE (BHEP),
(District Oĸce)MCYS (JAPEM),
capacity on mental health 2023-2025 mul sectoral stakeholders formed
reported
laws and services related to mental UBD Care (TBC), BRCS
(including MH burden, preven on
health Suppor
Lead: MOHng Stakeholders:
and management)
Iden fy minimum data set of key At least 2 na onal mental health Suppor
MOH, MCYSng Stakeholders:
2023
mental health indicators indicators are iden Įed MOE
Lead: (BHEP), MCYS (JAPEM),
Establish Mental Health Incorporate Mental Health Modules UBD Care (TBC), BRCS
PMO
surveillance system Establish rou ne data collec & Mental Health modules developed Lead: MOH
in leadership courses (EDPMO on & 2023-2025 Mechanisms established & data is
mechanismsEDPSGO) (including periodic and implemented Stakeholders:
2023 - 2025 collected and compiled every
Suppor ng
Suppor ngStakeholders:
survey that covers mental health MOE (BHEP),
MOH, MOE, MCYS, (JAPEM),
MCYSMORA
2-4 years
aspects from each stakeholders) UBD Care (TBC), BRCS
Advocate for be er awareness on
Lead: MOH
the importance of mental health &
Develop Work-Life Balance Policy A ain technology and/or skills to Suppor ng Stakeholders:
well - being amongst policy makers 2024 - 2025 Technology & skills a ained
for all workplaces support data collec on MoF, MOE (BHEP), MCYS
To include: Lead:
(JAPEM), UBD Care (TBC),BRCS
- 2 day weekend (in a row) ‘Work-Life Balance' deĮned. PMO (JPA)
Develop mental health
- Standardised workingresearch
hours

33 29
agenda 2023-2025 Agenda established
- Day-care / creche facili es at Work-life Balance Policy Suppor ng Stakeholders:
workplaces developed. MOH, MOE (JSS, JPS, HED, HSE),
-Iden fy poten
Designated al collaborators
drop-oī for
points (school- MORA (JPI), MCYS
Collaborators iden Įed
mental health
buses)research Co-Leads:
- Flexi hour op ons PMO, MOE, MORA, MCYS,
Strengthen coopera on & - Work from home op ons MINDEF & MOH
collabora on between local Facilitate MOU signing between
ins tu ons, universi es and health health services and local 2022-2025 MOU signed Suppor ng Stakeholder: MOFE
services in mental health research universi es on mental health
Iden fy the needs
research for every
collabora onsministry Leads : PMO (JPA), MINDEF
Op mising human resources by for counselors
establishing a centralised pool of Counselling needs for each
2023-2025
trained counselors to be ministries are iden Įed Suppor ng Stakeholders:
outsourced to all ministries MOE (UBD, JPP, DA)
Engage poten al grant funders
(local or others) for the mental Funds a ained
Review the current counseling
health research
services for civil servants
REFERENCES
ASEAN Mental Health Systems Report [Available from https://asean.org.>wp-content>uploads>2016/12]
Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA!) : Guidance to Support Country Implementation
Geneva : World Health Organisation; 2017
Global Burden Disease 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators. Global burden of 87 risk factors in 204 countries and
territories, 1990 – 2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet; 2020
[Available from https://www.healthdata.org>gbd>2019]
Ministry of Health Report on Mental Health for the Negara Brunei Darussalam Legislative Council.
Brunei: Ministry of Health; 2021
The Mental Well – Being in Bruneian Workplaces Survey 2019 – 2021 (preliminary data).
Brunei Darussalam : PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam; 2021
Violence and Harassment Convention, (No. 190). Geneva: International Labour Organization. 2019
WFMH Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Report in Conjunction of World Mental Health Day 2019.
World Federation For Mental Health; 2019
WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013 - 2030. Geneva : World Health Organisation; 2020
WHO Guidelines on Mental Health at Work. Geneva : Wprld Health Organisation; 2022
WHO Guidelines on Mental Health Promotive and Preventive Interventions for Adolescents.
Geneva : World Health Organisation; 2020
WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013 – 2020. Geneva : World Health Organisation; 2013
WHO mhGAP Intervention Guide for Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders in Non-Specialised Health
Settings (Version 2.0). Geneva : World Health Organsiation; 2016
WHO Scientific Brief : Mental Health and Covid-19 : Early Evidence of The Pandemic’s impact.
Geneva : World Health Organisation; 2022

ABBREVIATIONS CREDITS
ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations Photos provided by:
CFTs – Cross Functional Teams
Department of Information,
COVID19 – Coronavirus 2019 Prime Minister Office
DALYs – Disability Adjusted Life Years
Hanafi Salam
GPW13 - Geneal Programme of Work 13
GSHS – Global School Health Survey Hani Haryanna binte Hj Maidin
MCYS – Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport
Haqqi Muhtaddin bin Hasri
MinDef – Ministry of Defence
MOE - Ministry of Education Muhd Yusrin bin Dr Hj Muhd Hadi
MOH – Ministry of Health
MORA – Ministry of Religious Affairs Nor Syahmun binte Hj Matassan

MSTH – Multisectoral Taskforce for Health Nurqamarina Fakhriah binte Hj Alim Saidi
NCDs – Non-Communicable Diseases
NGOs – Non governmental organisations Pengiran Dr. Fariza Suryani binte
Pengiran Dato Paduka Hj Sani
PMO – Prime Minister Office
SDGs – Sustainable Developmental Goals Vector image sources courtesy
WHO – World Health Organisation of vecteezy.com
(https://www.vecteezy.com
WPRO – WHO Pacific Region Office

34
DIRECTORY
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES
Block 2G, 6th Floor, Ong Sum Ping Condominium, Ministry of Health
Tel: +673 721 2697 (call & whatsapp)

COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
Blk 2G, 4th Floor, Condominium Ong Sum Ping, Ministry of Health
Tel: +673 869 9614 (call & whatsapp)

PSYCHIATRY SERVICES (BRUNEI MUARA)

Spg 253-79, Kg Kiarong, Jalan Gadong
2454644 (Adult Clinic)
2425090 (CAMHS Clinic)
2455259 (Female Ward)
2455636 (Male Ward)

PSYCHIATRY SERVICES (BELAIT),

HOSPITAL SURI SERI BEGAWAN KB
Inpatient Ward - 3335331 ext 3152
Outpatient Clinic - 3335331 ext 3249
Direct Line - 3347742
Day Care Centre - 3335331 ext 3249
Child Adolescent Clinic - 3335331 ext 3249

PSYCHIATRY SERVICES (TUTONG)

HOSPITAL PMMPMHAMB
Jalan Sungai Basong, Bukit Bendera, Tutong TA1342
Tel: 4261105
TALIAN HARAPAN 145

MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY UNIT

Health Promotion Centre, Ministry of Health
Commonwealth Drive BB3910
Tel: 2385800 Email : hpc@moh.gov.bn

35
 Cover Photo: Tenunan Jong Sarat
It is a Bruneian intricate art of gold and silver thread weaved within the finest cotton
and silk fabric. The motifs and patterns in the Jong Sarat are usually inspired from the
local flora and fauna of Brunei Darussalam and reflect the skills, artistic beauty,
fine workmanship and quality of the exceptional cloth. Above all, it withstands the
challenges of time. The earliest recorded mention of Jong Sarat can be traced to
Sultan Bolkiah’s reign (1485 to 1524).

Tenunan Jong Sarat is chosen as the background for this action plan as a nod of
acknowledgement to the life stories of all Bruneians. Each of its motifs reflect every
Bruneians’ stories of challenges, joy, struggle, happiness, faith and hope. On its own,
the motif has its own significance but when they all are put together, they depict a
beautiful design or, in this case, the beautiful lives of all Bruneians. Just as the Jong
Sarat, all Bruneians aspires to be resilient in facing all the challenges up in the future.