Local movement aims to help bully victims speak up, speak out

MIRI: A local anti-bully movement aims to help the victims of bullying to speak up and speak out.

The ‘Anang Buli Aku!’ (‘don’t bully me’ in Iban), which is a part of the division-level World Mental Health Day 2018 programmes and is hashtagged # anangbuliaku, is also meant to change the people’s mentality in relation to bully cases.

“Suicides that resulted from bullying are nothing new, especially in this social media era. This movement # anangbuliaku emphasises teaching the victims to come forward and seek help if they’re being bullied, and also to speak up and be brave in facing their bullies.

“Nevertheless, it is not about punishing the bullies; instead, it is to help the bullies cope and improve themselves because bullies are usually the ones with their own problems – they could be the ones who need help,” said a spokesperson of the campaign joint organisers – Miri Hospital’s Psychiatric Department, the Mental Health Association of Sarawak, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Laman Minda and Curtin University Malaysia Sarawak Campus.

Everyone is invited to join a free forum on ‘Buli: Berani! Bangkit!’ (Bully: Be Brave! Rise!) at Pustaka Miri auditorium this Nov 6, running from 11am to 12.30pm.

The panel of speakers will comprise Miri Hospital psychiatrist Dr Bawih Inu Pu’un, Curtin University psychology officer Nur Liyana Shamsudin and renowned speaker Richmind Chi Poh Yung – the session will be moderated by Miri Hospital psychology officer Mas Jali.

For RSVP of the forum or other information, go to http:// bit. ly/ rsvpforum.