(In front from left) Malaysia Mental Health Association president Prof Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj, LLAM deputy president Chua Chee Heng, Yeoh, Che Puan Muda Zaheeda, See, Lifeline International chief executive officer Thilini Perera, 18th APTCC Scientific Committee chair Prof Paul Yip, together with the LLAM committee members (at back standing).
KUALA LUMPUR: NGO Life Line Association Malaysia (LLAM) hosted the 18th Asia-Pacific Telephone Counselling Conference (APTCC) from Sept 5-7 at Sunway Resort Hotel.
This was the first time Malaysia served as the host nation for the conference.
Co-hosted by the Malaysian Mental Health Association, the three-day event, themed “The Transformation of Helplines: Technology, Modalities and Ecosystem”, gathered more than 15 international experts, policymakers and practitioners to share insights, experiences and innovative approaches to mental health and crisis intervention.
The conference was graced by the 18th APTCC royal patron the Raja Puan Muda of Kedah Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff, who officiated the opening ceremony, alongside Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan.
The crown princess of Kedah, who is also the Royal Patron of the Malaysian Mental Health Association, stressed the need for families, schools, communities and the government to work together to create a safer and healthier environment for the younger generation.
In her message she said that at a time when the world is facing growing social, economic, and psychological pressures, the importance of emotional support, crisis intervention and counselling services is paramount.
She stressed that collaborations among telephone counselling providers in the region should lead to advanced telephone counselling and emotional support services, leveraging the understanding of the latest technologies and modalities available.
The APTCC, first launched in 1994 in Taiwan and subsequently hosted in turn by Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, has grown into a prominent regional platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in mental health and crisis intervention.
Malaysia was selected as the host country at the previous conference in Taiwan, 2022, the first nation outside the founding countries to host the conference.
This year’s theme highlighted the pressing need for innovative solutions to meet the complex mental health challenges of today’s world.
As the organiser, LLAM continues to promote emotional well-being through helplines, preventive education and community-based services.
Established in 1993, it has supported more than 44,000 individuals over the past three decades, guided by the belief that every life deserves empathy, care and hope.
Critical moment for mental health
Against the backdrop of rising mental health concerns and youth suicide cases, the conference served as an important platform to explore preventive strategies, new service modalities, and cross-border collaboration.
Experts emphasised the urgent need to respond to the growing demand for support, particularly among young people, who increasingly turn to text-based platforms instead of traditional helplines.
“At the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we recognise that mental health is among the most common challenges faced by Malaysian youth,” said Hannah Yeoh.
“Our ultimate aim is to build a future where effective and accessible mental health support is available to all. Through the discussion, participation, knowledge-sharing and collaboration at this conference, I believe we are moving closer to that vision.”
Platform for exchange, collaboration
Over three days, the conference will featured keynote addresses, international showcases and six in-depth workshops, covering topics such as crisis counselling in the digital age, responding to suicidal ideation in children and youth, ethical strategies in text based support and care for caregivers.
“By hosting the 18th APTCC in Malaysia, our aim was to bring together experts and partners from different sectors and countries, to learn from one another and to build stronger, more integrated systems of support,” said LLAM president Choon Lee Meng.
“Only through collaboration can we respond more effectively to crises and create a society where every individual knows they are not alone.”
APTCC organising chairperson and LifeLine International board member See Soon Eng added that: “Through the exchange of knowledge and strategies, we have made meaningful progress towards better support systems across the Asia-Pacific.
“The focus on suicide prevention and youth mental health is especially timely, and I am confident that the momentum generated will continue to inspire lasting change.”
Expert lineup highlighting innovation and prevention
With 19 internationally recognised experts, alongside many other professionals contributing their insights, the 18th APTCC brought together one of the strongest gatherings of mental health and helpline professionals in the region.
From pioneering suicide prevention models to digital interventions, these voices shaped the conversation with insights that will influence policy, practice, and community support across the Asia Pacific and beyond.
The three-day conference hosted experts from the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia on various topics, from strategies and best practices in crisis counselling to cultural diversity in helpline support.
The 18th APTCC was hosted by LLAM and co-hosted by the Malaysian Mental Health Association, with LifeLine International as honorary patron and Nirvana Asia Group as the honorary sponsor.
Individuals seeking mental health support may visit https://lifeline.org.my/7995/?lang=en for more information or contact the helpline at 15995.
To further expand and sustain its services, LLAM is also calling for 1,795 regular sponsors to support the organisation through its “RM1 a Day” campaign. All contributions are tax deductible and can be made via https://donation.lifeline.org.my.
LLAM supports individuals facing social and psychological challenges by providing both emotional support and preventive programmes.
