SHAH ALAM, June 9 — An increasing number of Selangor residents have come forward to seek mental health support through Talian Sehat Selangor and services provided by the Selangor Counselling Centre since their introduction in 2021.
The centre's psychology officer Faridah Abdul Jalil @ Abas said the increase is evident from the annual statistics of individuals accessing the services.
“Talian Sehat was launched in 2021, and since then, there has been a steady increase in the number of individuals seeking assistance,” she said during an interview with Media Selangor.
This development reflects a growing willingness among the public to seek professional support for mental health-related concerns.
“When people come forward to access these services, it means they are becoming more aware of the importance of mental health,” Faridah said.
While women previously made up the majority of service users, more men are now coming forward to seek similar assistance.
“Men are beginning to step forward and access these services, and that is a positive development,” she said.
Students, private-sector employees, and the unemployed are among the groups most frequently using Talian Sehat's service.
Faridah added that those aged between 20 and 40 represent the largest group seeking assistance, as they are often in a more vulnerable stage of life and more susceptible to various pressures.
“This group is still learning how to manage emotions and stress, so when they seek help before their situation worsens, it is a very positive sign,” she said.
The patterns of service usage have also changed: previously, members of the public were more likely to seek assistance on weekends, but an increasing number are now accessing support on working days.
Faridah noted that this shift indicates that society is taking mental health care more seriously and is becoming less fearful or embarrassed about seeking professional help.
“People are increasingly aware that mental health is just as important as physical health,” she said.
