MENTAL health challenges among marginalised youth remain a growing concern in Malaysia, with many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds facing barriers to accessing conventional mental healthcare.
The Health Ministry's 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey revealed that 14.2 per cent of adolescents aged 13 to 17 suffer from mental health disorders, especially depression and anxiety.
Moreover, a growing number of youths, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, are facing serious mental health challenges, with the B40 community experiencing very high rates of anxiety, depression and stress.
One initiative aimed at address this gap is Sepi, a youth-run art therapy studio based in Bangsar here, which offers free mental health support through creative therapy.
Founded by mental health advocates Nayli Bisnu, 27, and Farihin Ufiya, 28, Sepi is designed to provide a space where young people, especially from underserved communities, can explore their emotions and cope with mental health challenges.
The studio is operated under the Nyawa Mental Health Aid Organisation (Nyawa), a youth-led non-profit dedicated to mental health reform.
"Art therapy offers an alternative for those who may struggle with traditional talk therapy.
"For many, especially those from marginalised groups, expressing themselves through art can be a powerful tool for understanding and managing emotions that might be difficult to verbalise," said Nayli, a health psychology master's degree student.
Nayli previously led mental health initiatives with a focus on empowering Orang Asli and Orang Asal youths.
Sepi's focus is on making art therapy more accessible, particularly to marginalised communities like B40 youths, indigenous groups and other at-risk populations who often face socioeconomic and cultural barriers to more traditional mental health services.
"We want to ensure that these communities have the same opportunities for healing and growth," said Nayli.
The studio offers evidence-based art therapy sessions, including individual and group workshops.
The sessions are facilitated by licensed therapists and are aimed at helping participants understand their emotions, thoughts and behaviours through creative expression, such as painting, clay work, yoga and journaling.
In one session, Nayli said two sisters, grieving the death of their father, found solace through art.
She said the sisters shared how the studio offered a safe and supportive environment to express their emotions together.
"They described the experience as more freeing than traditional talk therapy. This experience not only helped them navigate their grief, but also deepened their bond.
"Hearing how our work offered them even a small sense of relief and peace during such a challenging time reinforced just how meaningful and transformative this work can be on a deeply personal level," she added.
Both Nayli and Farihin emphasised the importance of holistic mental healthcare, which nurtured emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing through mindful engagement with art.
The art therapy sessions are provided with the support of the Kindness in Community Fund, an initiative by Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation and Cotton On Foundation.
Farihin said: "We believe that mental healthcare should be available to everyone, regardless of their background."
Farihin holds a master's degree in neuroscience from University College London.
"People in marginalised communities often experience unique stressors and challenges, and art therapy offers a non-judgmental space for them to heal and process their experiences."