By Yasmin Ramlan
PETALING JAYA, Sept 6 — In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Selangor government identified a silent crisis involving a surge in mental health issues among its residents.
With this realisation, the Selangor Mental Sihat (Sehat) programme was launched in 2021, backed by a RM500,000 allocation to address the escalating mental health struggles. The initiative not only provides immediate support but also fosters a culture of mental wellness across the state.
As alarming statistics revealed 117 reported suicide cases in Selangor by mid-2021, Sehat’s objectives extend beyond intervention — it also seeks to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure access to vital resources.
By integrating technology with community outreach, Sehat empowers residents through the SELangkah mobile app and offers mental health screenings and subsidised psychiatric treatment.
In a recent interview with Selangor Journal, state executive councillor for public health Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the state government is now looking to expand its focus to rural areas, where awareness of mental health issues may be limited.
“Looking forward, our goal is to broaden our reach by targeting community leaders like village heads, Village Development and Safety Committee (JPKK) members, and joint management body (JMB) representatives.
“By empowering these key figures with the knowledge and skills needed to support mental health within their communities, we are working to create a network of informed, capable individuals who can contribute to our residents’ well-being.
“Through these efforts, we are hoping to lay the groundwork for a more resilient and well-supported community in Selangor,” she said.
Jamaliah noted that public stigma surrounding mental health is gradually improving, with more people now seeking help compared to previous years.
However, gaps still remain, as many struggle to distinguish between behavioural issues and mental health conditions, which can lead to tragic consequences such as suicide.
Therefore, she said state government programmes aim not only to reduce the stigma around mental health but also to foster engagement and deepen public understanding of the issue.
The state must also ensure mental health support reaches marginalised and vulnerable groups, including through targeted outreach programmes.
“Beyond digital accessibility, the state government has implemented targeted outreach programmes to connect with those who may not actively seek help.
“In 2023, we began an outreach programme at six universities in Selangor, empowering university leaders to promote mental health awareness.
“This year, we are expanding this initiative to nine districts, focusing on training local community leaders in suicide prevention,” Jamaliah said, pointing out that these leaders play a critical role in reaching vulnerable groups, including stay-at-home spouses, by offering support.
Among other approaches are accessible app-based support providing a range of mental health resources that individuals can access without leaving their homes; free and convenient services like the Sehat hotline and registration for psychiatry subsidy programmes through the SELangkah app; and training and community support through the state’s community health volunteers, Sukarelawan Kesihatan Komuniti Selangor (Suka).
Improving services and programmes
Elaborating further, the councillor said the Sehat initiative’s main goal is to provide mental health services that are easy and equitable to access, adding that Selangor is committed to improving them from time to time.
In 2024, the Selangor government expanded the subsidised programme to include paid professional clinical psychologists. Additionally, it introduced the Sehat Hub programme, offering free in-person counselling sessions across all districts.
Another key goal for the state is to address and reduce the stigma associated with mental health, which Jamaliah believes has caused a significant barrier to people seeking help.
“So, we are committed to promoting a culture of understanding and support within the community.
“Our objective is to create an environment where mental health is openly discussed and treated with compassion, ultimately contributing to greater societal harmony and well-being,” she said.
Building on Selangor’s ongoing efforts since 2021 to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma, Jamaliah said the state government is introducing new initiatives this year.
These include the Sehat Hub, subsidies for counsellors, clinical psychologist services, suicide prevention workshops, and social media campaigns.
“We have already expanded Sehat to include clinical psychologists, for example. This allows us to address a broader range of mental health issues and provide support beyond psychiatric care.
“It is not just basic counselling anymore. We have expanded to include a wider spectrum of professional mental health experts because we recognise that we have the funds to support these efforts,” she said.
Jamaliah added that the goal this year is to make these programmes more accessible to everyone.
Selangor is the only state in the country that has invested significantly in mental health, dedicating over RM500,000 exclusively for mental health purposes and maintaining consistent funding since Sehat’s establishment in 2021.
