By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Aug 31 — The Selangor government has launched the Selangor Mental Health Programme (Sehat) to address mental health issues that have become increasingly worrying since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the programme is integrated into the SELangkah app and enables users to determine their mental health condition through self-assessment.
“After obtaining the results, the users would be given free access to various early intervention approaches provided through Sehat.
“The programme is a holistic initiative to increase the awareness and literacy on the importance of mental healthcare and reduce stigma related to the issues.
“It also provides a platform for the Selangor people to conduct self-assessment while offering online early intervention initiatives,” he said when launching the programme last night.
Amirudin said users would also have access to 30 mental health education videos featuring sign language interpreters for people with disabilities.
“Social support is also offered through Sehat forum, which helps users to share and discuss their problems with virtual friends who are also facing similar situations.
“Psychosocial support and counselling services conducted by 31 certified counsellors via its helpline are also available,” he said.
On August 15, state executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said the state government had allocated RM500,000 for the Sehat initiative, including promotion and awareness programmes, module development, counsellor training and community empowerment.
The initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Islamic International University Malaysia (IIUM), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (Miasa).
