‘Safe space’ for people to cope emotionally amid Covid-19 fight
PETALING JAYA: Her experience in helping disaster survivors cope emotionally has led Dr Rachel Ting Sing Kiat to set up a “safe space” for Malaysians, particularly frontliners, affected by Covid-19.
Dr Ting, a senior lecturer at Monash University’s Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said some 100 doctors and professional healthcare workers from all over the country had volunteered to offer counselling via “Safe Space Covid-19”.
It will rely on tele-conferencing for counselling and activity sessions, which will be done under tight screening procedures while ensuring confidentiality, she added.
“We also have 352 volunteers from various sectors of society who will help conduct face-to-face sessions such as yoga, karaoke, meditation and art as a means for participants to destress,” she told The Star.
Dr Ting, who has 20 years’ experience as a clinical psychologist, said she had been involved in disaster relief operations in several countries over the past 12 years.
“I noticed that there would always be a place at the relief centres where survivors would feel safe to gather.
“My experience inspired me to set up Safe Space for those who are in the high-risk group such as frontliners or those suffering fear and trauma due to the health crisis.
“They can seek psychosocial and emotional support from trained professionals through Safe Space or share their experiences as a means of mutual support,” she explained.
She said frontliners were considered high-risk in terms of suffering trauma and a sense of isolation.
“So far, about 30 individuals have come forward to seek emotional support since Safe Space was set up two weeks ago,” she added.
She said she decided to do something to help after recent reports of a person committing suicide due to fear of contracting Covid-19.
“Safe Space is a preventive approach that provides help before things reach a serious level,” she said, adding that she had approached the Health Ministry to offer the platform as support for its frontliners.
Dr Ting said healthcare workers, persons under investigation (PUI), families of Covid-19 patients or PUI or those mourning the loss of loved ones to the disease could reach out for help via the Safe Space Covid-19 Malaysia page on Facebook.