The Ultimate Guide to Receiving Mental Health Services in Malaysia
Knowing where and how to get mental health services in Malaysia (especially on a budget) can be confusing. We at People Psychological Solutions took the initiative to look up resources online, call up the numbers, and contact our professional peers for the right steps and services available for you.
This guide will cover all details necessary to receive varying levels of support, professional or otherwise, for your mental health. As of late October 2020, the information provided here has been vetted through for its accuracy.
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Government Mental Health Facilities (MENTARI)
Universities’ Psychological Services
Support Services – Suicide Hotline & Support Groups
GOVERNMENT/ SEMI-GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS
Government Hospital (Hospital Kajang was contacted for the guide below)
Step 1:
Receive a referral letter addressed to a government hospital for psychiatric evaluation. This letter can be obtained from a medical doctor. Referral letters from both private clinics or government clinics/ klinik kesihatan are accepted. If you are already undergoing therapy with a psychologist, your psychologist can also prepare a referral letter for you.
Note: Based on our inquiry at Hospital Kajang and UMMC, a psychologist’s letter is valid for use. If you intend to go to other hospitals, please check with them if you intend to use a psychologist’s referral letter. In all likelihood, it can be accepted.
Step 2:
Head over to the psychiatric department during working hours (Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm) to arrange for an appointment.
Step 3:
Appointments are given based on severity of your mental health symptoms. Manageable symptoms are usually given an appointment within 2-3 weeks.
Fee:
First visit costs RM5 if referral was from a government clinic/ klinik kesihatan. However, it costs RM30 if referral was from a private clinic. All follow-up appointments are RM5.
Fee is inclusive of medication provided.
Therapist qualifications:
A Psychiatrist or Medical Officer will consult you. If a counselor or clinical psychologist is present in the hospital, the doctor may refer your case for counseling or psychological services. This will depend on therapist availability and the suitability of your case.
Note: Counseling and psychological services services are available at Hospital Kajang.
University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)
Step 1:
Similar to step 1 above.
Step 2:
Head over to the psychiatric department during working hours (Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm) to arrange for an appointment.
Note: you are advised to come early to take a number (as early as 7.30am), as it is a first come first serve basis. Only TWELVE (12) patients are allowed to see the doctor per day. Throughout the MCO/ COVID-19 period, only SIX (6) patients are allowed.
Step 3:
If you had received a number, your turn will come to see the doctor on the same day.
Fee:
First visit costs RM 30, and subsequent visits RM 15 each, with an estimated RM40 for medication.
Medication fee may differ depending on what is prescribed.
Therapist qualifications:
Psychiatrist.
Counseling & Psychotherapy Services:
Depending on the suitability of your case, the psychiatrist may refer you to the licensed counselor or clinical psychologist. If you would like to receive counseling or psychological services, you may request for this service during your consultation with the psychiatrist. Your details will be entered into the system, and you will be contacted to schedule an appointment.
Wait time for counseling & psychotherapy:
Weeks to months. Due to overwhelming demand, receiving an appointment may not be a confirmed event.
GOVERNMENT MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES
Klinik MENTARI
MENTARI is a new initiative by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to improve mental health outreach. There are MENTARI branches in different states across Malaysia. The phone numbers for each branch are listed here (click).
Step 1:
Call the phone number of the MENTARI branch that you’d like to visit. Get their e-mail address.
Step 2:
Complete DASS-21 online (click here).
Step 3:
Screen capture the results that you have received. E-mail it over to the e-mail address of the respective MENTARI branch. Request for an appointment in the e-mail.
Note: We only called MENTARI Selayang. Their e-mail address is [email protected]. If you intend to visit another branch, kindly give them a call to get their e-mail address.
Step 4:
The person in charge will reply to your e-mail with an appointment time & date. (Note: due to overwhelming demand, the MENTARI branch that we called mentioned that the next appointment date will likely be 1 month from the time they receive the e-mail).
Fee:
First visit is free of charge. Subsequent visits are RM5.
Fee is inclusive of medication provided.
Therapist qualifications:
Psychiatrist or Medical Officer. Depending on the suitability of your case, the psychiatrist may refer you to the licensed counselor (if available at your selected MENTARI branch). Counseling services are dependent on availability, as the licensed counselor may only be there once per week.
NGOS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Cavalry Life Ministries (CLM)
Webpage:
To schedule an appointment, submit the sign-up form here:
Fee:
The recommended rate for a lay counselor is RM60 (individual) or RM100 (couples).
The recommended rate for a professional counselor is RM150 (individual) or RM200 (couples).
However, the amount paid by the client is up to his/ her discretion (by donation basis).
Language:
English and possibly others (depending on therapist’s language fluency)
Therapist qualifications:
Lay counselors who are not from a counseling/ psychology background, but have received a 1 year training by the professional counselor, including undergoing an exam. Lay counselors also receive monthly supervision by the professional counselor.
Expected wait time:
The counseling director will contact you once your inquiry form is received (about the same day or day after). Once basic information is retrieved and your questions answered, you will be assigned a therapist. The therapist will call you at a different time/ day to schedule an appointment.
Note: CLM is closed during CMCO.
GEM Helpline (previously BGFCU Helpline)
Webpage:
To schedule an appointment, call these numbers:
011 2528 9610
011 5994 4384
Phone lines are open Mondays to Fridays 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Wednesdays to Fridays 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Fee:
Free
Language:
English
Therapist qualifications:
Volunteers who are not from a counseling/ psychology background, but have undergone counseling skills training (termed by the association as “para-counselors”).
Expected wait time:
Depending on the outcome of the call and suitability of the client for service.
Life Line Association Malaysia
Webpage:
To schedule an appointment, submit the sign-up form here:
Fee:
Free
Language:
Predominantly Mandarin, but English included.
Therapist qualifications:
Volunteers who are not from a counseling/ psychology background, but have undergone the association’s training program (stated to be 1 – 1.5 years duration on their website)
Expected wait time:
About 3 months.
UNIVERSITIES’ PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
Centre for Psychological and Counseling Services (CPCS), HELP University
Webpage:
To schedule an appointment, submit the sign-up form here:
Fee:
RM45 (first session) and RM30 (subsequent sesssions)
Language:
English and possibly others (depending on therapist’s language fluency)
Therapist qualifications:
Counseling or Clinical Psychology trainees undergoing their internal practicum (first year of training).
Expected wait time:
Differs depending on availability.
If you have not heard from them in a while, call the landline at 03 2096 1212 (Damansara Heights branch) or 03 7849 3200 (Subang 2 branch) to inquire on the status of your form submission.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Suicide Hotline (Befrienders)
Webpage:
To speak to someone, make a call to:
03 7627 2929
Fee:
Free
Language:
English and possibly others (depending on volunteer’s language fluency)
Volunteer qualifications:
Volunteers have received a duration of 6 months listening skills training via workshops and on-the-phone practice.
Expected wait time:
Differs depending on availability of volunteers.
Note: We had attempted to call in the afternoon, evening, and night for 1 day, but lines were busy.
Support Groups (Social Media)
Boys Will Be Boys: A Malaysian Men’s Support Group
A newly created support group, where Malaysian men discuss issues that men go through, or to express their thoughts and feelings.
Webpage:
Fee:
Free
Language:
English
Malaysian Depression & Anxiety Support Group (MDA)
There is active interaction in this support group, with members discussing the challenges that they are facing in their life, mental health, or medication that they are receiving.
Webpage:
Fee:
Free
Language:
Predominantly Bahasa Malaysia.
PRIVATE PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
Too long of a wait? Too many steps to take? Looking for convenient psychological services with no fuss?
You are one step away in confirming an appointment.
Address your psychological concerns in the privacy and comfort of our office. Trusted and professional clinical psychologists are here to assist you.
Our rates are:
RM250/ session (face-to-face or online available)
Click the WhatsApp icon at the bottom right of the screen to book a slot now.
E-mail, phone call, or inquiry form submission details are also available at our contact us page (click here).
