Utilise other mental health professionals

YOUR REPORT, “Few mental health experts” (The Star, June 14) stated that there was a great shortage of professionals in the field of mental health in Malaysia. 

It said the Health Ministry would also use some of the allocation received under the 9th Malaysia Plan to train more nurses and medical assistants to become counsellors to ensure enough manpower or experts in the field. 

As a social worker and academician, I feel the ministry should utilise other mental health professionals such as trained social workers and  

psychologists to overcome the shortage of mental health workers at the community or hospital levels. 

Every year, many students who are trained in social work and psychology graduate from local and overseas universities. 

Universiti Utara Malaysia produces about 150 graduates in social work yearly.  

Nurses and medical assistants should not be overburdened with the work that could be done by other trained personnel.  

It is about time that we integrate more professionals besides doctors and nurses into the mental field, so that our mental health consumers will receive the best.  

YUSMARHAINI YUSOF, UUM, Sintok.