Crucial support over the phone

Selangor Counselling Centre coordinator and clinical psychologist Megat Syaiful Izzuddin Megat Mokhtar (third from right) and Talian Sehat coordinator Faridah Abdul Jalil@Abas (third from left) with other counsellors involved in Sehat programmes.

A KEY component of Selangor’s mental health support initiative is Talian Sehat, a free phone counselling service.

Its coordinator Faridah Abdul Jalil@Abas said counselling over the phone could be challenging.

“If they were beside us, we might be able to offer physical comfort – like a reassuring touch, or, if suitable, a hug to help them de-escalate.

“But over the phone, that is not possible.”

Selangor Counselling Centre (PKS) coordinator and clinical psychologist Megat Syaiful Izzuddin Megat Mokhtar (seated centre) and Talian Sehat coordinator Faridah (standing) with other counsellors involved in the phone counselling service. — Photos: GRACE CHEN/The Star Gopal Akam Baram is a full-time counsellor with a Federal Government agency. He is one of those manning the Talian Sehat lines on a part-time basis.

The psychologist, who has 16 years of experience, said it was especially harrowing in life-threatening situations as the system was unable to trace the location of the calls.

“So what we do is to try to bring them into a more rational state, then guide them to reassess the action they are considering – helping them reflect on whether it is right or wrong, and what the consequences could be,” she said.

“One method we use is to temporarily redirect their focus.

“When someone is fixated on one distressing thought, we shift their attention to something safer and more constructive so they don’t remain locked onto the earlier impulse.”

Manned by a team of 30, Talian Sehat received 2,590 calls from 2021 until March this year.

The number has gone up from 414 in 2022 to 672 in 2025. (see graphic).

Providing a brief background, Faridah said the Talian Sehat initiative was initiated in 2021 by then Selangor executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud.

It was offered by Selangor Counselling Centre (PKS) and originally placed under the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).

It is now under the Counselling and Psychology Management Unit, Human Resource Management Division of the State Secretary’s Office.

“Its placement outside hospital settings helps minimise public stigma often associated with seeking mental health support in traditional medical environments.

“In 2021, especially after Covid-19 hit, we saw that the public really wanted to get help through phone calls,” Faridah said.

“So, we provided training to registered counsellors as well as clinical psychologists to provide counselling over the phone.”

Every employee is provided with a mobile phone, enabling them to pick up the call from anywhere.

Talian Sehat is available from 8.30am to 4.30pm on working days.

The hotline numbers are 1700-82-7536 and 1700-82-7537.