I HOPE Centre hosts a free, full-day community festival at Cheras LeisureMall on 10 October — expert talks, live performances, community activities, wellness screenings, and making mental health a community mission for every Malaysian to feel seen, supported, and inspired.
KUALA LUMPUR, 24 September – Mental health touches every generation and community at large.
This World Mental Health Day, I HOPE Centre is bringing that message to life with Mental Wellness Fest
2026, a free, full-day community festival at Cheras LeisureMall, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday, 10 October 2026. Running from 11:00am to 8:00pm and open to the public, the festival is built for everyone, whether visitors are navigating their own mental health concerns or simply want to stand with their community on the issue.
A Growing Need
The festival arrives as national data points to a mental health burden that is both worsening and widening across age groups. Malaysia’s National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 found that depression among Malaysians aged 15 and above has doubled since 2019, now affecting an estimated one million people, with nearly half reporting thoughts of self-harm or suicide. The same survey found that one in six children aged 5 to 15 shows signs of a mental health problem. Mental health professionals have also pointed to stigma as a persistent barrier, with the Malaysian Mental Health Association noting that roughly one in ten Malaysians lives with a mental health condition, many of whom never seek help.
What to Expect
The festival offers walk-in access to mental health support, no appointment, no stigma, no referral needed. Visitors can take a free DASS-21 wellness screening or a RIASEC career assessment, discover their attachment style and love language, and explore tools for stronger relationships and family connections. There is also a space for those carrying grief and loss, real conversations for families & those having questions about healing and relationships, as well as a dedicated space for caregivers. Trained counsellors & psychologist will be present throughout the day for consultations.
Highlights
Here are some highlights that we believe will make the Mental Wellness Fest 2026 different and a place for everyone.
- A “I HOPE Passport” – visitors collect a stamp at every stop and unlock a prize wheel, turning a mall visit into a self-guided wellness trail.
- Free, walk-in wellness assessments – career, personality, relationship, and burnout assessments, with no appointment or referral needed.
- A Wall of Hope and a Kindness Zone (Letter Exchange Corner) – visitors leave notes of encouragement, write a letter to someone they miss, or take one left by a stranger earlier in the day. This is what community is all about.
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- An intergenerational moment – a “Pass the Wisdom” station where elderly visitors leave notes for the young, alongside a fun family clayart contest for children and parents.
- “Ask a Counsellor Anything” – a recurring live stage segment where a counsellor answers anonymous, crowd-submitted questions throughout the day.
- Live performances and a photo wall – saxophone, flute, and harmonica performances, plus a branded backdrop and affirmation props built for social sharing.
- Forums, Talks & Dialogues Topics include:
- Managing Stress, Burnout, and Anxiety in Everyday Life
- Life Experience of Raising a child with autism
- Families as Anchors of Care, Connection, and Courage
- Being a community for delinquent youths
- Challenges & Support for Caregivers of People Living with Mental Health Conditions – Whom do I see: Psychiatrist / Psychologist / Counselor?
Programme Highlights
The day’s programme runs from 12:30pm, with the full schedule to follow as the final guest list is confirmed:
| Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
| 11:00am | Launch/Opening | Featuring all VIPs & Guests |
| 12:30pm | TALK 1: Managing Stress, Burnout, and Anxiety in Everyday Life | Dr Kartini, Outreach Director, Befrienders |
| 1:00pm | FORUM 1: Families as Anchors of Care, Connection, and Courage | Joshua Hong (Better Dads Malaysia), Vishalatchi (Suara Minda), Kuan Chee Heng (Uncle Kentang) |
| 2:00pm | Clayart Contest: Mould Your Family | Open sign-up on site |
| 2:15pm | DIALOGUE & PERFORMANCE by Hunny Madu: Life as a Mother to a Child with Autism | Hunny Madu |
| 3:15pm | FORUM 2: Whom Do I See: Psychiatrist / Psychologist / Counsellor? | Dr Samuel Wong (Psychiatrist), Castle Low (Clinical Psychologist), Esther Rani (Licensed Counsellor) |
| 5:00pm | TALK 2: Being a Community for Delinquent Youths | Ignatius Wong, Executive Director, Prison Fellowship Malaysia |
6:00pm TALK 3: Challenges & Support for Caregivers of Vishalatchi, President, Suara Minda People Living with Mental Health Conditions
Seats for the talks and the clayart contest, along with festival goodie bags, are limited. RSVP at: https://tinyurl.com/MWFTalks
A Community Coming Together
Mental Wellness Fest 2026 brings together a wide coalition of community and social enterprise partners, including Befrienders, the Malaysian Mental Health Association, Suara Minda, Uncle Kentang, Better Dads
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Malaysia, Orphancare, Oretha’s Senior Care, alongside local wellness brands such as ARC Stretch, Usana, Zoey’s Homemade, Nathalie’s Makeup and Beacon Mart.
“Mental health isn’t a young person’s issue or an old person’s issue, it’s everyone’s issue,” said Ms. Hannie Cheong, Managing Partner of I HOPE Centre. “The numbers show us it’s getting worse, and that stigma is still stopping people from asking for help. That’s why we built this festival around every stage of life, so that whether you’re carrying something heavy or you simply want to stand with your community, there’s a place for you at Mental Wellness Fest.”
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, 10 October 2026 (World Mental Health Day)
Time: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Venue: Leisure Mall, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
Admission: FREE and open to the public
Organiser: I HOPE Centre
About I HOPE Centre
I HOPE Centre is a Cheras-based social enterprise dedicated to transforming mental health care into community empowerment. It combines professional counselling, coaching, and HRDC-accredited training with programmes designed to foster resilience, dignity, and hope across schools, workplaces, and underserved communities in Malaysia.
