Nor Hayati is a mother and a caregiver. She looks after her father, who is an amputee, while raising her children at home. Even without hardship, this would be a heavy responsibility.
But Nor Hayati was also navigating
depression and suicidal thoughts, fighting battles within herself while still showing up for everyone else.
Anyone who has lived with depression knows this truth:
Some days, getting out of bed is already an achievement.
When Nor Hayati sought help for her mental health, she was stigmatised as “ada surat”, meaning she is a legitimate mental health patient of the Institute of Mental Health.
Word spread. Assumptions were made. And soon, she found herself facing isolation instead of
understanding.
The stigma didn’t stop with her.
Her children were bullied at school, labelled because of something their mother was brave enough to seek help for.
And while the family was already dealing with financial strain, this emotional burden became another weight they carried every day.
Throughout our conversation with Nor Hayati, there was pain…but there was also strength.
Towards the end of the interview, we reassured her. We reminded her that seeking help is not a weakness. That caring for others while managing her own mental health takes courage. And that her story matters, because it calls for compassion.
By sharing her story, we hope to offer something
important:
a chance for understanding,
a moment for reflection,
and an opportunity for the community to respond with care instead of judgement.
Mental health should never be a source of shame.
And no one should have to carry its weight alone.
Thank you for standing with individuals like Nor Hayati, and for helping us build a community where support reaches beyond stigma.
