The MAIS Chairperson was quoted to have advised those involved in LGBTQ+ lifestyles to “return to their natural disposition” by joining rehabilitation programmes offered by MAIS, other religious authorities, or NGOs that provide related services.
For years, “concerted and organised” efforts from government and religious officials have publicly described LGBT people and behaviors as a "disorder" or "social ill" that requires "counseling," "rehabilitation," or "correction," linking it to mental illness or abnormality, portraying them as victims of mental illness and disease.
The government and religious authorities response is always - all LGBTQ people should be corrected.
Conversion therapies and programs are their solutions.
These same people are constantly telling the LGBTQ+ people to go to therapy.
They also attack people who resist it.
And they would always find something to "diagnose" people with as these labels are often used as a measure to force people to conform to societal standards.
It would be great to see and hear their response when asked that question, how many have they `cured’?
If they are truly sincere in their response, the answer probably would be NONE.
For starters, it is hard to completely cure mental illnesses.
If it can be cured, Hospital Permai Tampoi Pusat Rawatan Mental and Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta (HBUK) or more generally known as Hospital Bahagia Tanjung Rambutan would have been closed down long time ago.
As a matter of fact, mental illness is a significant and growing concern in Malaysia, with recent data showing high prevalence, especially among youth, and a concerning rise in depression and suicidal ideation, impacting around 29.2% of adults (NHMS 2015) and a notable percentage of adolescents (NHMS 2017), with figures suggesting over 1 million Malaysians aged 16+ have depression by 2023, alongside increasing suicide deaths, though many cases remain hidden due to stigma.
It might be time for the government and religious authorities to change tack in addressing this issue.
Therapy isn’t some magic quick fix.
If you are sick, you go to a doctor and with antibiotics, you can be cured.
If you go to a therapist or a psychiatrist, they will still be seeing them 10 years later for the same thing.
It is just the world don't have a way to cure certain issues at this time due to limitations of modern medicine.
Be kind in understanding the LGBT+.
Try to reduce the stigma on them by developing and create greater awareness programs to create a more supportive and accepting society for them where individuals can share their experiences and connect with others who went through similar experiences.
Don't keep hitting the wall when it doesn't work.
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