By Sofia Nasir
SHAH ALAM, Oct 28 — The state government has introduced SeHAT Hub Counsellors via the Selangor Mental Health (SeHAT) programme in each district to address depression and mental health issues.
State executive councillor of public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the pilot project, offering free counselling sessions, began in August and provides services for four hours every Saturday.
“The programme is carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian International Counsellor Association (Perkama) and the Selangor Health Community Volunteers (Suka).
"The pilot project began on August 10, and we need to review the outcomes and implement improvements. After that, we will discuss how to manage this programme next year,” she said.
Jamaliah was speaking to the press at the officiation of Psychology Day and Public Service Mentor Day (Akrab) for the Selangor State Secretariat level today.
With the theme ‘Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace,’ the programme at Dewan Jubli Perak in the State Secretariat Building was officiated by State Secretary Datuk Haris Kasim.
She added that over 100 individuals have accessed the services at SeHAT Hub Counsellors, indicating the positive public reception towards the programme.
The councillor aims to expand the programme to all state constituencies if SeHAT Hub Counsellors continue to receive strong community support.
“This programme is the result of discussions where some individuals wish to meet counselling professionals face-to-face, so we have placed counselling hubs close to the people,” Jamaliah said.
The locations include the community service centres in the state constituencies of Bandar Utama, Pandamaran, Sungai Tua, Pandan Indah, Sungai Pelek, Kuala Kubu Baharu, Sungai Air Tawar, Ijok, and Morib.
