Dr Nurashikin binti Ibrahim

Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health, MOH

Topic: Reframing Mental Health Through Strengthening Partnerships and Public Health Diplomacy

Social Profiles

Dr. Nurashikin Ibrahim is a Consultant Public Health Physician and Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health (NCEMH), Ministry of Health Malaysia, with over 30 years of service and more than two decades of experience in mental health. Has received specialised training in Psychosocial Response to Disaster from the Hyogo Institute of Traumatic Stress (HITS), Japan, as well as training in Mental Health Promotion & Mental Illness Prevention from the Hunter Institute of Mental Health, Australia, and Suicide Prevention from AISRAP, Australia.

Played an important role in shaping Malaysia’s mental health landscape by developing key national initiatives, including the National Strategic Plan for Mental Health, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programme in Disaster; Healthy Mind Programme in School; MySAVE Programme for suicide prevention; Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS), as well as consultancy on various mental health modules and guidelines.

As Head Coordinator of MHPSS, she has led mental health responses during major crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, MH370 and MH17 tragedies, pre-deployment and post-deployment for Malaysian field Hospital Cox’s Bazar for Humanitarian Mission for Rohingya’s in 2017, chemical waste poisoning tragedy in February 2019, massive flood tragedy in 2014 and 2021 and most recently the massive fire tragedy in Putra Heights, Selangor.

Recognised for her outstanding contributions to public health and mental health advocacy, Dr. Nurashikin has received numerous national and professional awards, among them the Ahli Mangku Wilayah (AMW); Kesatria Mangku Negara (KMN) and Excellence Service Medal, as well as awards from various organizations, such as the Malaysian Mental Health Association for her role as mental health advocate and The Heart of Gold Award from PERKAMA International in 2022 for being an active civil servant in “Strategies Addressing Mental Health in Malaysia”.

Involved in providing training to mental health care providers, frontliners, and volunteers, she also actively participates in various activities with NGOs at the community level.

Abstract

Mental health is an essential component of overall health and well-being. Good mental health enables individuals to achieve their own potential and contribute positively to the society. Through the lens of public health diplomacy, mental health requires strategic partnership, investment, and collective action across all sectors. Addressing mental health challenges demands a comprehensive and collaborative approach, therefore it requires collaboration between government agencies, private sector, academic institutions, healthcare providers and community organizations towards sustainable mental health services. In this context, public health diplomacy is an important strategic approach for advancing mental health agenda. It promotes collaboration among governments, international organisations, and other stakeholders enabling the alignment of policies, mobilisation of resources, and sharing of best practices to address complex mental health challenges. Through stronger partnerships and diplomatic engagement, mental health thus not only as a public health priority but also as a key component of human rights. By fostering collective commitment and coordinated action, public health diplomacy reduces mental health disparities and strengthen the efforts to improve mental health of the population. Ultimately, this approach contributes to a more integrated, equitable, and sustainable mental health landscapes and services.