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KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Ministry of Health’s psychosocial support hotline received more than 43,000 calls between the introduction of the movement control order (MCO) on March 18 and December 1, says Datuk Seri Adham Baba.
“Among the frequently heard problems are job losses, loss of income sources, family conflicts and relationship problems,” he told Dewan Negara on Wednesday (December 16).
The Health Minister said that the telephone counseling service is provided by a team of psychologists specially trained to provide psychological first aid to help those in need.
He added that the service carried out in partnership with Mercy Malaysia aims to help society manage mental health, especially parents who have children with special needs.
He responded to a question from Senator Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi, who asked about the efforts the ministry was making to address the psychological and mental problems faced by parents, especially those who have children with disabilities.
Explaining in more detail, Dr. Adham said the ministry was implementing several other efforts to provide psychosocial support to parents with children with disabilities, including establishing psychosocial and mental health support teams in each district, in addition to developing mental health and psychoeducation materials.
“Medical outreach activities are also taking place for children with disabilities and their guardians to come to community rehab centers,” said Dr. Adham.
He added that the committee members at each center are also giving advice, guidance and sharing their experience with the children and their parents, saying that this also covers mental health.
Dr Adham also said that the government is also providing the Talian Kasih 15999 and Talian Khas Kaunseling Covid-19 hotlines through the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to ensure that the mental health of Malaysians is always at a stable level. – Bernama
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