DAWN is proud to launch the BIM Mental Health Video Series on 9 January 2026, a Deaf-led initiative designed to improve mental health awareness and accessibility for the Deaf community in Malaysia.
This project brings together seven Deaf creators who produced short educational videos in Malaysian Sign Language (BIM), using creative approaches such as storytelling, drama, and poetry. The videos aim to make mental health information more accessible, relatable, and culturally meaningful for Deaf viewers.
Addressing a Critical Accessibility Gap
Many Deaf individuals in Malaysia face barriers when accessing mental health information, as most resources are delivered through spoken language or written formats that are not fully accessible. Limited availability of BIM-based resources and Deaf-aware services can make it difficult to understand mental health concepts or seek help early.
The BIM Mental Health Video Series was created to address this gap by providing clear, visual, and Deaf-friendly mental health education, delivered directly by Deaf creators for the Deaf community.
Deaf Creators, Deaf Voices
Seven Deaf creators were selected through an open call and supported throughout the process from June to December 2025. With guidance and mentorship, each creator developed a video around 5 minutes long, focusing on mental health themes such as emotional well-being, stress, depression, and the impact of social experiences.
The seven videos featured in this series are:
- The Silent Struggle – Wong Sey Gin
- Mind Reset – Dexter Nuing Lyrym Anak Paong
- The Door I Feared – Anne Laura Benedict
- I Am Like the Earth – Amy Lau Ek Bin
- Seen Beyond Silence – Lim Eng Chuan
- Negative Social Media – Gejaletchumi A/P Murugaya
- Depression – Ho Koon Wei
Each video is presented in clear BIM, with strong visual focus to ensure accessibility. Captions have been added to support hearing viewers and wider audiences.
Mentorship and Creative Development
Throughout the project, creators received ongoing mentorship and support, including guidance on:
- Mental health concepts and messaging
- Storytelling and creative expression
- BIM clarity and accessibility
- Basic filming and visual presentation techniques
This process not only strengthened the quality of the videos but also empowered Deaf creators with new skills in content development, mental health communication, and video production.
Launch and Community Use
The full video series is officially launched on 9 January 2026 and will be shared through DAWN’s platforms. The videos are also suitable for use in workshops, training sessions, and community discussions.
You can watch the videos below and share them within your networks to help spread mental health awareness in the Deaf community.
Credit
This project was part of the Projek Pembangunan Sumber Pertolongan Cemas Kesihatan Mental Bagi Komuniti Pekak di Malaysia, supported by the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health (NCEMH), Yayasan Hasanah, and the Ministry of Health Malaysia under the Mental Health Grant.
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