MORE people in Selangor are seeking free mental health services through the state government’s Sehat programme.
The two-pronged programme comprises Talian Sehat – a counselling hotline – and weekly community counselling sessions known as Hab Sehat.
said they were suffering from severe stress, 18.5% from intense anxiety while 6.5% had severe depression.
“The story is bigger than these numbers because not every mental health struggle shows up in official statistics.
“What we are seeing locally, especially through screening programmes and services like community counselling hubs, is an increase in people coming forward for assessment and support,” said Dr Amiera, a general practitioner specialising in psychiatry.
“People may look fine from the outside, but internally something else might be going on that needs attention.”
She highlighted several warning signs that could indicate someone was having mental health issues.
Conversely, they may also feel anxious, physically restless like their mind cannot switch off.
“Another thing to look out for is someone who may have difficulty controlling emotions or reacts more strongly than usual,” said Dr Amiera.
She added that in cases of burnout, a person may feel like they were running on empty but still try to keep going.
“There are also those who have trouble concentrating, and feel lost and directionless.
“Others facing mental health issues may choose to isolate or withdraw from social connections,” she said.
Dr Amiera stressed that mental health issues should not be confused with mental illness.
Not all mental health issues require medication, she said.
“Many cases can improve with counselling, therapy, lifestyle changes or psychosocial support.”
She cautioned against labelling people with mental health issues as being “soft” or “typical of the strawberry generation.”
“This can lead to lack of support for those who are suffering from it, increased feelings of shame or isolation and potential worsening of mental health conditions,” she said.
Selangor Counselling Centre (PKS) coordinator and clinical psychologist Megat Syaiful Izzuddin Megat Mokhtar said the provision of state-organised mental health support showed Selangor as a progressive state.
“Just as governments invest in preventing physical diseases, they must also invest in protecting mental well-being before problems become crises.
“Early support improves quality of life, strengthens productivity, reduces healthcare costs and builds healthier communities all round.”
Free counselling sessions
Persatuan Kaunselor Malaysia Antarabangsa (Perkama) assistant secretary Dr Aslina Ahmad, who is also Hab Sehat coordinator, said the first phase of counselling was held from October 2024 to March 2025.
In that year, the community counselling sessions took place in nine locations – Bandar Utama, Pandamaran, Sungai Tua, Pandan Indah, Sungai Pelek, Kuala Kubu Baru, Sungai Air Tawar, Ijok and Morib.
The number of Hab Sehat was increased to 11 with the inclusion of Kampung Tunku and Lembah Jaya.
“Under phase one, 540 slots were booked with the 9am to 10am sessions being the most popular,” she said.
“The Petaling district recorded the highest percentage of bookings.
“This can be attributed to the higher awareness of mental health here,” said Dr Aslina.
“The largest number of respondents were women from the 20 to 40 age group.
“One of the largest groups of respondents were students.
“Many of them sought help for issues like balancing studies and part-time work, managing money and family responsibilities, and adjusting from student to working life,” she added.
Overall, slightly over 40% of appointments were repeat sessions.
The second phase, which kicked off in August 2025, ended in January.
This phase also involved physical events as well as regular appearances on a radio station.
In total, 18 events took place in various locations on topics like parenting, suicide prevention and the role of counsellors in community development.
Hab Sehat, which was temporarily halted, is expected to resume on July 4 and continue until Dec 26.
As before, the sessions will be held at 11 locations in Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Langat, Sepang and Kuala Langat districts.
Sessions are typically held in assemblyman service centres every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, except on public holidays.
Perkama and Sehat also collaborated with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
Young Counselling Scholars to hold bowling and swimming classes.
Some of the events were held in conjunction with the Jualan Rahmah and Karnival Sihat programmes.
Webinars were also held covering topics like substance abuse awareness as well as reducing the stigma around mental health.
In April 2025, Perkama counsellors went on Selangor FM – a regional Malay-language radio station operated by RTM.
They were featured in “Curahan Hati”, a weekly hourly slot airing every Wednesday at 9.30pm where listeners could share their feelings.
Various topics were discussed including anger management, and inculcating self-confidence.
In 2026, the frequency was increased to two slots, on Wednesdays as well as Fridays, featuring professionals involved in counselling, social work, psychology and other professions.
Reducing stigma Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin told StarMetro that the budget allocation for Sehat programme had doubled from RM700,000 in 2025 to RM1.5mil in 2026.
“Sehat programme is the state government’s long-term commitment to ensure that mental health support can be accessed more widely, quickly and without stigma.
“It is hoped that it can continue to be expanded from a basic intervention approach into a more holistic and sustainable community mental health support ecosystem.
“It aims to ensure that more Selangor residents – especially youths, students, low-income families and vulnerable groups – can get easily accessible assistance before an issue becomes more serious.
“The Selangor government is hoping the Sehat programme can grow into a model for state-level mental health intervention that not only focuses on treatment, but also on prevention, public education and building a community that is more attentive to the emotional well-being of society,” said Jamaliah.
Appointments must be made through the Selangkah app.
