VitaHealth, Tropicana expand OFFLINE 16 to champion mental wellness in Malaysia
Ixora Ang, managing director of sales, marketing and business development at Tropicana, said: "Our mission is to create sustainable, liveable townships that truly support the people who call them home. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) isn't just about the environment and governance; it is about the people too. OFFLINE 16 shows how this vision goes beyond buildings; it's about giving everyone a chance to unplug, reconnect, and care for their wellbeing together."
Ang said Tropicana is proud to champion this wellness movement with VitaHealth, Tropicana Foundation and event sponsor TGCR.
Mental health is an increasingly pressing issue in Malaysia, with nearly one million adults – about 4.6 per cent of the population – living with depression, almost double the figure recorded in 2019. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, one in six children also face mental health challenges. The rise in digital dependency is compounding this crisis, as excessive screen time is increasingly linked to anxiety, depression and social isolation.
Despite growing awareness, access to mental health support remains limited. The WHO World Mental Health Surveys indicate that up to 78 per cent of people in upper-middle-income countries still do not receive the mental health care they need.
Dr KS Beh, chief executive officer of VitaHealth (Malaysia & Singapore) and founder of OFFLINE 16, said the idea stemmed from witnessing how screen time was consuming people's lives.
"The idea to go offline came to me when I noticed how screen time was taking over people's lives, leaving them disconnected and mentally drained. That sparked the birth of OFFLINE 16, a movement inviting people to unplug and reconnect meaningfully while building a happier community."
Since its launch in 2024, OFFLINE 16 has steadily gained momentum. The inaugural edition attracted more than 300 participants.
To date, the movement has clocked 30 offline hours across five editions, engaging participants through various themed activities that combine physical, mental and social wellness for this year's OFFLINE 16.
The 2025 rollout began in May with a pickleball challenge in Penang that attracted 200 participants, followed by a matures's retreat at FRIM, Kepong, and a beach cleanup in Sabah, which together engaged another 300 participants.
The main event will take place on August 16 at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort (TGCR) and is expected to be the largest edition yet. Highlights include a pickleball session with VitaHealth ambassadors, Olympian Pearly Tan and Malaysia's top pickleball player Colin Wong, along with interactive games, wellness workshops, live jazz performances, recycling activities, DIY arts and crafts, health screenings, mental wellness games, and a relaxation zone complete with reading nooks and massage chairs.
The final retreat for 2025 will be hosted in October and will focus on providing a restful resort experience, featuring activities that encourage participants to pause and recharge. All participants will receive exclusive wellness packs worth over RM300 and stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes worth up to RM15,000.
OFFLINE 16 is supported by Tropicana Foundation and event sponsor TGCR, with Big Caring Group also lending its support.
Big Caring Group's chief marketing officer, Wong Siew Lai, believes that health should encompass not only medication but also mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.
With over 500 participants already engaged this year, VitaHealth and Tropicana are well on track to meet their target of 1,200.
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