RM1.5mil to deal with stress, anxiety and bullying
Selangor government has doubled its allocation for mental health services from RM700,000 this year to RM1.5mil next year.
State public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the increased funding would benefit key services such as the Talian Selangor Mental Sihat (Sehat) hotline, subsidised psychiatric care as well as Sehat Hub community counsellors.
She said these counsellors offered free weekly sessions across 11 hubs located in Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Langat, Sepang and Kuala Langat districts.
The hubs operate every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, except on public holidays.
Jamaliah said a pilot mental health programme for teenagers was being planned.
“It will be done through a Peer Support Group initiative in selected schools with the aim of providing students with a safe space to share experiences, challenges and emotional pressures with peers.”
She said the programme would begin with two schools, although the locations had yet to be determined.
“With Selangor being the state with the highest population, it also means we have the highest number of students as well.
“So, it is very important for us to address issues like bullying, which also includes cyber harassment in schools,” she said during the 2025 Asean Health Symposium (AHS) at a hotel in Subang Jaya, hosted by the Selangor government.
Strategic Asean International Advocacy and Consultancy founder and chief executive officer Shaanti Shamdasani said mental health was a policy priority and one of the key areas of reform for 2026.
In her presentation, she highlighted the need to expand services across life stages, reduce stigma and strengthen policies linking mental health with employment, education and social protection.
“Universal access and affordability to mental health services, particularly for underserved communities, will also need to be promoted,” she said.
Sehat officer Dr Amiera Shakina Mohamad Nadzir said early counselling could help individuals manage emotions before their issues worsened.
“With counselling, those who are experiencing stress, anxiety and sadness can learn the tools to regulate their emotions and to prevent build up which can lead to breakdowns,” said Dr Amiera.
AHS programme director Dr Hooshmand Palany said health security was the main focus of the symposium.
The event featured 21 speakers from public and private sectors across Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Germany and the Netherlands.
Plenary sessions included topics on equitable healthcare funding, infrastructure investment, medical technology, innovation and startups.
Outside the halls, booths provided free health screenings, dental treatment and physiotherapy to visitors.