Hope Has a New Home: MIASA Opens Johor Clubhouse

The Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA) Malaysia proudly announces the official launch of the MIASA Johor Clubhouse, a vital new branch dedicated to providing holistic, inclusive, and community-based mental health support in the southern region of Malaysia.

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

The launch of the MIASA Johor Clubhouse marks MIASA Malaysia’s second major expansion beyond the Klang Valley, following the successful opening of its Terengganu Clubhouse in 2023.

Strategically located at 1Tebrau, Johor Bahru, the Clubhouse is designed to be a safe, welcoming, and stigma-free space for individuals and families seeking support, early intervention, and recovery
services.

Location

Services Offered

Services that are either free or heavily subsidized for B40 communities. These include:

• Psychological assessments and counselling
• Peer-led support groups and emotional check-ins
• Creative therapies, including drawing, painting, drama, and expressive arts
• Spiritual and reflective practices, such as Tadabbur therapy
• Psychoeducation programs and youth engagement initiatives

The Johor Clubhouse aims to serve as a dynamic training and knowledge hub by training volunteers, mental health practitioners, and local leaders to respond with empathy and effectiveness to those in distress.

SKUDAI STATE ASSEMBLYWOMAN LAUDS THE INITIATIVE

YB Marina Ibrahim, State Assemblywoman for Skudai, officiated the launch.

She expressed her support for the initiative, applauding MIASA’s efforts in bringing accessible, community-based mental health services to Johor.

In her officiation speech, she highlighted the importance of compassion-driven support systems and affirmed the need for more inclusive, ground-level mental health interventions that empower everyday Malaysians.

“Awareness must be rooted on the ground — beyond bureaucracy, beyond waiting for formalities,” she said. “It’s not about sitting in offices or waiting for YBs to officiate events. It’s not about waiting for people in distress to come to us. We are the ones who must go to them.”

MAKING MENTAL SUPPORT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO COMMUNITIES IN JOHOR

FEATURED EXPERT ANITA ABU BAKAR Founder and President Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA) Malaysia

Puan Anita Abu Bakar, Founder and President of MIASA, revealed that the decision to open a clubhouse in Johor Bharu was based on the fact that Johor has long needed a dedicated, accessible space where people can seek help without fear or judgment.

“We can’t afford to wait for systems to change. We can’t afford to lose more lives, more potential, more dreams,” she said. “Real change happens when we bring it closer to home, to the kampungs, the flats, the schools, the workplaces, and the hearts of our families.”

To that end, the Johor Clubhouse represents the continued commitment of MIASA to being a beacon of hope, healing, and empowerment to Malaysian communities.

HUMAN CONNECTION IS THE FOUNDATION OF MENTAL HEALTH 

FEATURED EXPERT DR ABDUL KADIR ABU BAKAR Consultant Psychiatrist Gleneagles Hospital Johor First Advisor to MIASA Malaysia

Dr Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar, the first advisor to MIASA Malaysia, gave a keynote speech in which he reflected on the evolution of mental healthcare and the need to move beyond hospital-centric models towards community-rooted, peer-led approaches.

He reiterated that the heart of mental health work lies in human connection, not infrastructure.

Hence, he underscored the value of safe, accessible spaces that prioritize connection, trust, and dignity.

“Support doesn’t need to come from grand buildings or high-tech spaces,” he said. “Sometimes, all
you need is a simple pondok with two chairs—a quiet corner where someone can sit and
be truly heard.”

PARTNERSHIP WITH YAYASAN HASANAH 

The launch was attended by representatives from MIASA Malaysia’s key funding partner, Yayasan Hasanah, specifically Mr Koh Xiu Heng, Grant Manager from the Community Development pillar of the organization.

Mr Koh stated that Yayasan Hasanah is committed to funding and facilitating efforts that bring real,
measurable impact to communities.

“Mental wellbeing is not a standalone issue; it is deeply intertwined with social, emotional, and even economic wellbeing. That is why we are proud to support initiatives like MIASA’s clubhouse, which place people and connection at the centre of care,” he said.

Puan Anita expressed her heartfelt gratitude, noting that these regional hubs could not have been realized without Yayasan Hasanah’s trust in MIASA Malaysia’s mission and its firm belief in prioritizing mental health as a national agenda.