IPOH: The Health Ministry is strengthening its collaboration with the Education Ministry to prevent self-harm among school students linked to bullying, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the collaboration includes enhanced counselling, early detection and intervention.
He said efforts were being strengthened following the launch of two additional self-harm prevention initiatives – the National Suicide and Fatal Injury Registry Malaysia (NSFIRM) and the Postvention Services Guidelines.
“The ministry was also implementing the National Bullying Policy, conducting awareness and mental health literacy programmes, and strengthening counselling services in schools.
“Counselling services need to be further strengthened, including screening, early detection of behavioural issues and early symptoms, referrals and early intervention,” he told reporters after launching the National-level 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day at Poly-Tech Mara College hereon (Sept 28)
He said this when asked regarding the strategic measures, as there have been cases of self-harm among school students, allegedly linked to bullying.
Dzulkefly said the ministry’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) team would also provide interventions and outreach programmes for affected individuals, schools and communities.
He said the School Health Programme would focus on increasing mental health awareness, strengthening students' coping abilities and creating a more inclusive and positive school environment.
“We do not want to always be reactive. We want something that is proactive and preventive by creating a more positive environment in schools, so that it becomes part of the culture,” he said.
Dzulkefly also stressed the importance of strategic and risk communication in addressing self-harm prevention, saying communications must be structured and handled sensitively to prevent information from having unintended negative effects.
He said inter-agency cooperation was also crucial, involving agencies including the police, Civil Defence Force, Education and Communications ministries, as well as academics who could contribute to the development of clinical guidelines and other interventions.
On the psychosocial support service, he said it is still being provided and has been strengthened through the Talian Heal 15555 hotline.
He said after approximately four years of operation, the hotline had received a total of 267,873 calls as of Sept 19.
“Of this total, 220,856 (82%) clients received emotional support, while 47,014 (18%) clients received specific interventions from counselling psychology officers.
“A total of 518 self-harm behaviour crisis cases, involving self-harm ideation and self-harm attempts, were handled by the hotline.
“Of these, 347 cases involving self-harm ideation received intervention,” he said.
Dzulkefly said another 171 self-harm attempt cases were referred by activating MERS999, with the cooperation of the police and emergency departments.
“The individuals were successfully taken to hospitals for treatment.
“The call trend for Talian Heal 15555 has shown an increase every year,” he said.
In 2023, the hotline received 27,738 calls. This increased to 42,990 calls in 2024, and nearly doubled in 2025, with 90,981 calls received.
