Bandar Seri Begawan - The High Court yesterday struck out a road traffic offender's appeal against a magistrate's conviction on dangerous driving and sentenced to four months' jail with a lifetime disqualification from driving.

Abdul Wafiy bin Haji Shawali/Timbang, 19, failed to negotiate a corner safely, encroached into the opposite lane and caused a head-on collision that caused the death of the driver of the other car.

Justice Dato Paduka Steven Chong concluded that the sentencing magistrate was right to take a serious view of the offence, which the defendant had admitted unreservedly, and passed a deterrent sentence.

"The sentencing magistrate took a starting point of nine months and reduced it to four months' imprisonment, which is not excessive in the circumstances and the law requires order for disqualification for life unless there were special reasons in the circumstances of the case and there were none in the case," stated the court.

DPP Dk Nurul Pg Rosli appeared for the Public Prosecutor and the appellant was represented by Rozaiman Rahman.

race, the Health Ministry, stated Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan, has taken it upon itself and initiated a number of mental health services improvements including further training of primary healthcare doctors to enable them to better identify and treat those with any form of mental health problems whilst also having in place a Community Mental Health Service programme for adults, teens and even children.

Though such services have been noticed by those who could benefit from it, the minister also urged those who require treatment and advice to step forward before their condition manifests itself into becoming chronic and critical.

The public, he encouraged, should cooperate and take responsibility in giving their encouragement and improve the mental health of those who suffer from depression or any other mental health illnesses.

"Let us work together to erase the stigma and negativity attached to mental health disorders and patients living with it and instead embrace them because they are part of our society."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), World Mental Health Day was established to raise public awareness on mental health issues and it promotes open discussions of mental disorders and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services.

The year 2004 saw depression as the third global health issue and is expected to be number one by the year 2030.

Despite the fact that treatment for depression is readily available, access to this, stated WHO, "is a problem in most countries and fewer than 10 per cent of those who need it receive treatment".

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin