Don’t let anxiety and depression consume you. Seek help from mental health practitioners if you’re struggling with emotional breakdowns.
The COVID-19 pandemic not only costs lives but also causes rippling effects due to fear and stress. Even those who are not mentally ill suffer from the psychosocial impact of COVID-19. According to the University of Malaya Specialist Centre (UMSC), by 2020 mental illness is expected to be the second biggest health problem affecting Malaysians after heart diseases. Based on the study done by the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) in 2020, every three in 10 adults in Malaysia, aged 16 years and above suffer from some form of mental health issues.
As the pandemic stretches into a second year, the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MoH)’s psychosocial hotline has received more than 122,328 calls (from January 1 to June 18, 2021). Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 90% of the calls received by hotline are linked to unemployment, loss of income, and family-related issues. There’s also an increase in therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. President of Malaysia Psychiatrist Association, Dr Hazli Zakaria said, there’s about a 30% to 50% increase in the private mental healthcare sector during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Mental and psychological effects of COVID-19
People not only suffer from the COVID-19 itself but we are all affected by the consequences of the pandemic as it sweeps across the world. Loss of employment, income reduction, abusive environment, poverty – they all lead to another degree of mental and psychological illnesses.
A 2020 research conducted by the Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UM, foresaw an increase in anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), and aversive social effects of isolation. Social distancing causes several mental health implications such as:
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Depression
Overwhelming fear anxiety towards COVID-19 also worsens mental stress among individuals and society.
What is online therapy
Online therapy or e-therapy/e-counseling/ teletherapy is a remote therapy and it’s a good alternative for people who need mental and psychological help but cannot visit a therapist’s office due to circumstances like distance or even lockdown. It can also be done through telephone conversations. This is currently the best solution for us Malaysians who need online counselling since we are not allowed to travel due to MCO.
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How does an online therapy session work
An online therapy session is as effective as an in-person session. It is real-time and it is just the same as having your session at the therapist’s office. You will chat with your therapist via video call and it should be completely confidential and secure. Call your therapist to book a therapy session, and you’re good to go.
Online counselling: 9 affordable mental health services to reach out to during MCO/ EMCO in Malaysia
Dealing with stress and mental disorders isn’t easy but it is not possible with help from mental health professionals. If you have low self-esteem during this lockdown, show symptoms of stress, or have emotional breakdowns, reach out to these affordable mental health providers to get psychological testing and assessment. Don’t let anxiety and depression consume you. Your psychological health is your priority. Thankfully, online therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic is accessible and affordable too!
1. Aloe Mind
At Aloe Mind, you get affordable, discreet, and accessible mental health care from the comfort of your home. They also allow you to take a free online test, to learn whether you may be living with depression and/or anxiety. You can choose a professional therapist (Member of Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology (MSCP) that fits your mental concern and find a suitable time slot before booking an appointment. Not just that, first-timers can get a 20% discount when you book for a slot.
Price: RM80 per session of online mental health screening (45 minutes)
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Schedule an appointment here.
2. Cara Cara Mental Fitness
Cara Cara offers affordable mental health therapy. The sessions are conducted by licensed professionals with over 700 hours of practical experience and they strictly adhere to the Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia Code of Ethics. Also, they offer multilingual therapy sessions – English, Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese. Not just that, you can choose your therapist before booking an appointment. You have options to attend an in-person or online session, but at the moment, Cara Cara only accepts online appointments due to MCO/ EMCO. You get 1 hour for each therapy session:
Price: RM50 per session (trainee counsellor)
Opening hours: Open weekdays and weekends, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Reach out to [email protected] for appointments or inquiries.
3. Centre of Psychological and Counselling Services (CPCS)
The Centre of Psychological and Counselling Services (CPCS) of HELP University provides individual, couple, family, group counselling, and Psychological Assessment and Psychoeducation. The services are open to students, staff, and the general public. You also have options to state your preferences when filling in the registration form – trainee therapist or practitioner, Chinese or English therapy session, male or female therapist.
Price: RM45 for the first session and RM30 for subsequent ones.
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9.00 am – 5:30 pm
- Saturday: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
- Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays
You can check the Online Therapy Terms and Conditions before booking for a slot, and schedule your appointment here.
4. Humankind Community Counselling
Humankind Community Counselling offers online and in-person counselling services, and it is by appointment only. All counselling is under the supervision of licensed, experienced, and ethical mental health practitioners.
Price: RM50 per session. Let them know if you can’t afford to pay for the sessions. Humankind Community Counselling will not turn you away.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. The last appointment is at 8:00 pm. At the moment they only accept online appointments.
Schedule an appointment here.
5. MentCouch Psychology Centre
This psychology centre offers mental health services for adults and children. There’s a wide range of therapy options at this centre, depending on your problems. Book an appointment for the ‘Lend An Ear’ service if you need to talk to a mental health professional. It is affordable and suitable for someone who wants to be listened to without prejudice and judgement.
Price: RM50 per session for ‘Lend An Ear’ service
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Call +603–2712 9372 or email [email protected] to book an appointment.
6. Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA)
The Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA) or Persatuan Kesedaran dan Sokongan Penyakit Mental was founded in 2017. They offer mental health assessment and consultation, and counselling services for those who are struggling with mental health problems. MIASA online counselling sessions are open to the general public. This mental health advocacy and peer support NGO also provide free counselling sessions to the B40 group.
Price:
- RM100 per 1-hour session (non-member)
- RM50 per 1-hour session (MIASA’s member)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Please contact +60 13-534 9366/+60 18-361 7345/ +6013-3330767 for scheduling an appointment or inquiries, or email to [email protected].
7. People Psychological Solutions
People Psychological Solutions provides psychological assessments and counselling for adults. They offer both online and in-person counselling sessions. This is a great option for clients who are not in KL or Klang Valley, but interested in addressing their mental health. You can get effective in-person counselling from the comfort of your own home. Each online session is supervised by qualified specialists and trainee clinical psychologists.
Price: RM 60 per session (trainee psychologists)
For booking an appointment or inquiries, you can contact +6017-899 2707 or send an email to [email protected].
8. The Red Clinic
The Red Clinic’s team is made up of general practitioners, psychologists, dietitians, sonographers, and support staff. These are the people that you should reach out to if you’re looking for personalised healthcare. Not just that, you can even get prescription medication delivered to your doorstep. Their psychological counselling service is also a safe space for you to speak without feeling judged. Clients with more severe psychological symptoms will be provided with psychological assessment and diagnosis, and treatment.
Price: RM175 per 1-hour session
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 am – 9:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Schedule an appointment here.
9. Thrive Well
Thrive Well provides a comprehensive range of mental health programs and services. Other than individual psychotherapy and counselling, there are also family and couples therapies, and career guidance. You can opt for in-person or online therapy sessions. But they only accept online appointments during MCO.
Price: RM50 per session (only for B40 individuals)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Schedule your appointment here.
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BONUS: Free mental health services and helplines in Malaysia
Here are free of charge mental health services and helplines in Malaysia that you can reach out to during MCO/ EMCO.
1. Befrienders
They are trained to provide support to emotionally distressed people. You reach out to them at +603-7956 8145 and they’re available 24 hours, seven days a week.
2. Buddy Bear Helpline (Talian Buddy Bear)
Buddy Bear Helpline by Humankind is Malaysia’s first-ever helpline that provides psychosocial support for children (below 18 years old). It operates seven days a week, from 6:00 pm until midnight. Children who need emotional support during this COVID-19 pandemic may contact their toll-free number at 1-800-18-2327.
3. PlusVibes App
This is a mobile application that connects to local NGOs free of charge. Among its partners are MIASA, Malaysian Psychotherapy Association (MPA), MERCY Malaysia, Agensi Anti Dadah Kebangsaan (AADK), and a lot more. You can download this app via App Store or Google Play.
4. Talian Kasih
The Talian Kasih hotline is under the supervision of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. Reach out to their toll-free number at 15999 or WhatsApp at +6019-2615999 if you need psychological support. They’re available 24 hours, seven days a week.
5. Unit Pakar Kesejahteraan Psikologi dan Kaunseling (PKPK) UKM
The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)’s counselling unit assists anyone who needs mental health support. Their services include mental health prevention and therapy for people from all walks of life. The therapy sessions will be conducted by trained and registered counsellors
Price:
- Free (Trainee counsellors)
- RM100 (registered counsellors)
You may WhatsApp +6011-23803861 or +6019-9102894 to book an appointment.
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