Magic Coat Malaysia

10/10/2024

Today is World Mental Health Day, and it's a great reminder to check in on our little ones' mental well-being. Here are 5 simple ways to support your child's mental health. 🌍💛

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26/09/2024

Magic Coat for Kids' very own beloved CEO was recently invited to speak at REGENARASI's initiative to foster greater understanding of safe-keeping mental health amongst the young.

Shane Wee, recognized for his significant contributions to the business and financial services sector in Greater Perth, Western Australia, founded Alto Capital, where he served as CEO for nearly 18 years following a decade at ABN Amro. After retiring early in 2021, he dedicated himself to a lifelong ambition: to help parents and educators equip children with the tools to combat adolescent depression, often stemming from challenging formative experiences.

Joining forces with Diane Wilcox, a former schoolteacher turned professional mental health coach, Wee co-founded The Magic Coat for Kids. Over the past seven years, the program has positively impacted the lives of approximately 50,000 children, fostering emotional intelligence and resilience.

Shane Wee, CEO of The Magic Coat for Kids, has been spreading the magic for over 8 years! After hanging up his suit from a 28-year career as a stockbroker, he teamed up with founder Di Wilcox to help kids tackle anxiety, bullying, and tough situations—giving them the confidence and tools to shine through life’s challenges!

25/09/2024

How to Recognise Anxiety in Our Kids

Anxiety can sometimes hide behind smiles. Here are 9 signs to watch for:
✨Excessive worry about everyday situations.
✨Avoidance of certain activities or places.
✨Physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches.
✨Changes in sleep patterns—trouble sleeping or nightmares.
✨Irritability or mood swings.
✨Frequent nightmares
✨Withdrawal from activities they used to enjoy
✨Difficulty calming down after distress
✨Changes in academic performance

Stay vigilant and supportive!

The Magic Coat Program is an impactful emotional wellbeing enhancement program aimed at fortifying our children with emotional intelligence, emotional resourcefulness, and emotional resilience by using evidence-based Cognitive Behavior Theory.

20/09/2024

In 2022, family psychologists discovered that Children and adolescents aged 0–18 years in Malaysia experience a high burden of poor mental health. Around 1 in 8 adolescents aged 10–19 and 1 in 20 children aged 5–9 years are estimated to have a mental disorder (including developmental disorder).

In fact, back in 2019, the National Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS) already disclosed that one in 20 children in Malaysia aged five to nine are estimated to have mental disorders including developmental disorders.

Consultant paediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist Dr N. Thiyagar said depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders were among the leading causes of illness and disability among children and teenagers.

But many parents remain unaware or are not taking their children's mental health seriously, and the following may be the contributing factors.

1. **Lack of Awareness**: Many parents may not recognize the importance of mental health or may not be aware of the signs of mental health issues.

2. **Stigma**: There can be a stigma associated with mental health that discourages parents from seeking help or discussing these issues openly.

3. **Financial Constraints**: Therapy and mental health resources can be expensive, and some families may prioritize other expenses over mental health services.

4. **Cultural Beliefs**: In some cultures, mental health issues may be viewed as personal weaknesses rather than legitimate health concerns, leading to a lack of support.

5. **Limited Access to Resources**: In some areas, there may be a lack of accessible mental health services, making it difficult for parents to get help for their children.

6. **Focus on Academic Success**: Parents may prioritize academic achievement over emotional well-being, believing that success in school is more important.

7. **Time Constraints**: Busy schedules and the demands of everyday life can make it challenging for parents to prioritize mental health.

Encouraging open conversations about mental health, increasing awareness, and providing accessible resources can help address these challenges.

17/09/2024

From learning apps to virtual playdates, technology can enhance creativity and connection! Screen time can lead to diminished physical activity and social skills if not balanced. Overexposure can result in anxiety, cyberbullying, and a disconnect from the real world.

Positive Effects:
Educational Tools: Digital devices can provide access to educational apps, online courses, and interactive learning resources, enhancing learning experiences.

Skill Development: Children can develop various skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity through games and digital content.

Social Connectivity: Digital platforms allow children to connect with peers and family, fostering social interaction and collaboration.

Access to Information: The internet provides vast resources for research and knowledge, encouraging curiosity and exploration.

Negative Effects:
Screen Time Concerns: Excessive use of digital devices can lead to sedentary behavior, contributing to health issues like obesity.

Impact on Sleep: Late-night screen time can interfere with sleep patterns, affecting overall health and well-being.

Social Skills: Over-reliance on digital communication may hinder the development of face-to-face social skills.

iPads, iPhones, Devices & Our Children

Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Without proper supervision, children may encounter harmful or inappropriate content online.

Addiction and Distraction: The engaging nature of digital devices can lead to addictive behaviors, impacting attention spans and academic performance.

Let’s foster healthy habits and create a digital landscape that benefits our children! 🌈

07/09/2024

Numbers don't lie. Here's the statistics on what's happening in Malaysia:

1. **Prevalence**: Studies suggested that around 20-25% of Malaysian children and adolescents experienced mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.

2. **Increased Rates**: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues, leading to a rise in reported cases of anxiety and depression among children.

3. **Age Factor**: Older adolescents (ages 15-19) were particularly affected, showing higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to younger children.

4. **Gender Differences**: Girls were reported to have higher rates of anxiety and depression than boys, which is consistent with global trends.

5. **Access to Support**: There were concerns regarding the stigma surrounding mental health, which affected children's willingness to seek help, and a lack of resources for mental health support in schools and communities.

04/09/2024

To all the Asian parents out there: Let’s prioritize our children’s emotional wellbeing and foster open conversations about mental health. It’s time to acknowledge that mental health matters just as much as physical health. Together, we can change the narrative. Let’s talk openly about our struggles and support each other.

🌼 # MentalHealthMatters

The Magic Coat Program is an impactful emotional wellbeing enhancement program aimed at fortifying our children with emotional intelligence, emotional resourcefulness, and emotional resilience by using evidence-based Cognitive Behavior Theory.

16/08/2024

We are thrilled to be taking part in a research project funded by the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation to see how The Magic Coat program can reduce the anxiety levels in children going into surgery. 🧥✨
We have piloted an app thanks to the generosity and talents of Viper Metrics. Preliminary observation has been extremely positive 😊📈 and our next step will be to evolve the app to be neuro diverse and multilingual to help even more children and their families 🌍 🧠
The app is free to download 📱 search ''Magic Coat Hospital Adventure''.
Read the full article: https://pchf.org.au/.../can-a-magic-coat-ease-pre.../

14/08/2024

This is the reason why we continue to pursue to get The Magic Coat for Kids program to as many children between the ages of 4-11yo. This pressure will only continue to grow if governments globally continue to put a band aid on a problem that needs to be addressed at a younger age. Our program empowers and build resilient children.

To my network connected to the mental health space around the world, please share this with who is prepared to make the change 🙏🏽

Here’s an abstract from the article The Australian published this morning.

Pressure is growing for governments to urgently formulate a nationally co-ordinated response to escalating levels of mental illness, as a major international report places the psychological health of young people in Australia among the worst in the world.

50% is the rise in mental ill-health among teenage girls in the past 15 years.

154,000 people in this country have a functional disability as a result of mental illness.

$11bn a year is spent on more than 5 million Australians with mental illness – about 7pc of the nation's health budget – compared with the $40bn a year spent on about 600,000 Australians with a physical disability.

Di Wilcox
Magic Coat Malaysia
Josh Awang Jirawat

Pressure is growing for governments to urgently formulate a nationally co-ordinated response to escalating levels of mental illness, as a major international report places the psychological health of young people in Australia among the worst in the world.

06/08/2024

Certainly! Effective communication within the family plays a crucial role not just in supporting children's mental health and overall wellbeing, but also to build solid leadership characteristics in them.

Here are some tips to promote open and healthy communication within the family:

1. **Active Listening**: Encourage family members, including parents and children, to actively listen to each other without interrupting. This means giving full attention to the speaker and showing empathy.

2. **Create a Safe Space**: Foster an environment where children feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, and concerns without fear of judgment or criticism.

3. **Regular Family Meetings**: Schedule regular family meetings where everyone has the opportunity to share updates, discuss important matters, and address any issues or conflicts in a constructive manner.

4. **Validate Feelings**: Acknowledge and validate children's emotions, even if you may not agree with them. This helps children feel heard and understood.

5. **Use "I" Statements**: Encourage family members to use "I" statements when expressing their thoughts or feelings to avoid blaming or accusing others. For example, "I feel upset when..." instead of "You always make me..."

6. **Set Boundaries**: Establish clear boundaries and rules for communication within the family, such as no yelling or name-calling, to maintain a respectful and positive atmosphere.

7. **Encourage Openness**: Encourage children to ask questions, seek clarification, and share their perspectives openly. Foster a culture of curiosity and open dialogue.

8. **Problem-Solving Together**: Teach children and family members to collaboratively solve problems and conflicts by discussing solutions together and considering everyone's input.

9. **Celebrate Achievements**: Acknowledge and celebrate each other's achievements, big or small, to foster a sense of support and positivity within the family.

10. **Sign up for Magic CoatProgrammes**: We help parents raise healthy, calm and confident children and provide parental coaching and support. We also help discover with you, underlying issues affecting family dynamics and healthy communication and resolve conflicts.

By incorporating these tips into your family communication practices, you can create a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes children's mental health and strengthens family bonds.

31/07/2024

Teach children important social skills such as listening, sharing, taking turns, and empathy. Role-playing scenarios can be a fun and effective way to practice these skills in a safe environment.

Promote positive communication: Help children understand the importance of positive communication in building friendships.

Teach them how to start conversations, ask questions, and show interest in others. Encourage them to use kind and respectful language.Children often learn by observing the behavior of adults around them. Model positive social interactions, kindness, and inclusivity in your own relationships and interactions. Show children how to be a good friend by being supportive, understanding, and respectful in your own interactions with others.

31/07/2024

We can teach our children that in life, there will be setbacks. But when these setbacks come knocking at your door, greet them with open arms as temporary trials that are meant to shape you into the person you are destined to become. These challenges are not roadblocks but instead stepping stones that lead your children towards a future filled with growth, resilience, and unwavering determination. Embrace the journey, knowing that every setback is a lesson learned and a strength gained, preparing you for the triumphs that lie ahead.

The Magic Coat Program is an impactful emotional wellbeing enhancement program aimed at fortifying our children with emotional intelligence, emotional resourcefulness, and emotional resilience by using evidence-based Cognitive Behavior Theory.