Mental health in Malaysia is changing. With depression rates rising, particularly among younger adults, and workplace burnout becoming increasingly common, practitioners are encountering more complex presentations of stress and emotional distress. Explore what the latest Malaysian data reveals and why careful assessment, ethical practice and collaboration are essential to meeting these growing mental health needs.

Dr. Annapurny’s session, "Hypnosis in Paediatric Dentistry," shone a critical light on the vital role of Paediatric Hypnosis as a safe, non-pharmacological method for managing patient anxiety and pain. Her contribution reinforces the global shift towards genuinely patient-centred care, particularly for our youngest patients who often experience significant distress during medical procedures.

One issue with traditional pain assessment methods (Karoly & Jensen, 1987) is that clinicians overlook the potential role of unconscious variables as a possible source of a pain problem. This case write-up is to illustrate this point, namely the importance of considering the unconscious process in regard to pain assessment.

Self-Hypnosis mentioned in Pain Management Handbook(2022) issued by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia According to the American Psychological Association (APA), hypnosis is a state of focused attention and reduced awareness, characterised by an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion. It involves a person being guided to make changes to their perception, sensation, emotion, or behaviour (American Psychological Association, 2023). Extensive research in psychology, neuroscien