KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — All trained counsellors, including volunteers, are required to register with the Malaysian Counsellors Board (LKM) before offering counselling services, said Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) and LKM made the decision to ensure the counselling provided would be more inclusive and have a greater impact, especially for vulnerable and rural groups.
As of August, there are 12,583 registered counsellors in Malaysia.
“Through the National Counselling Services Policy and Action Plan 2025-2035, which is being drafted, LKM is determined to ensure that this profession remains relevant, ethical, and based on human values,” she said at the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Counselling Month celebrations today.
Nancy added that KPWKM is committed to strengthening the role of Registered Counsellor Volunteers (SKB) as field heroes who provide support to the community through Talian Kasih 15999 and various community programmes.
As of September, over 9,700 cases had been successfully handled, including Psychological First Aid assistance to accident victims involving students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in June, which reflects the true value of empathy and humanity.
“Through the 'Are You OK? Let’s Share!' campaign, we also invite Malaysians to be more open in sharing their feelings.
“Sometimes, a small question can give great hope to someone who is struggling. 'Are You OK?' not just a question, but a sign that we care, that they are not alone,” she said.
Meanwhile, LKM president Datin Dr Ruhani Mat Min said her party had launched the ‘MYeLKM’ portal, a database of registered LKM counsellors.
The system aims to make it easier for the public to access counselling services and to check practitioners' accreditation, including registration numbers and areas of operation.
“Any counsellor who offers counselling services must register with LKM once in their lifetime and renew their practitioner’s licence every two years to ensure professionalism as a certified counsellor.
“Currently, the public can use the MYeLKM portal for the review process, and the online application will be launched in January 2026,” she said.
October has been declared National Counselling Month in conjunction with World Mental Health Day since 2016, and this has become an important platform for raising public awareness about mental health and strengthening the counselling profession as the frontline of people's well-being.
