Seeking help from professionals is not a sign of weakness or failure. In reality, being mentally healthy is a necessity for everyone.
Ignoring our mental health has proven time and time again to have severe consequences, such as close family or friends ending their lives unexpectedly.
It shouldn’t take the death of someone we love for us to take depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues seriously.
Many emphasised that labelling suicide as a crime only prevents people from reaching out for help, and a jail sentence or a fine does not fix that.
Image via Makenna Entrikin/Unsplash
Mental health needs to be addressed in a healthy manner. One way involves therapy.
In saying that, though, finding a suitable counsellor or therapist might take time and effort.
Although not always the case, it often feels like an experienced therapist costs a bomb. And not everyone is completely satisfied with their first choice.
Just like how if you’re diagnosed with a physical illness, you might still want to get a second or third opinion from other doctors, finding a therapist who suits you might take time.
Image via Rhodes Wellness College
Before signing up for a session, here are some things to take note of:
1. The difference between psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors is dependent on the training and credentials they have attained. So pick according to what you feel you might need and are comfortable with.
2. Check their credentials to make sure they are from reputable organisations or are registered with any governing body, such as the Malaysian Board of Counsellors (Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia) which issue licences for counsellors.
3. Some places offer online therapy as well during this time if you prefer that option.
You can check out this list of places that offer mental health services in the Klang Valley:
Government services
Note: You will need a doctor’s referral letter for the following places.
PSYCHIATRY
1. University of Malaya Medical Centre
Address: Jalan Universiti, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor.
Contact: +603-79494422
2. KPJ Kajang Specialist Hospital
Address: Jalan Cheras, Kampung Sungai Kantan,
43000 Kajang, Selangor.
Contact: +603-87692999
3. Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL)
Address: 23, Jalan Pahang,
50586 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL.
Contact: +603-26155555
4. Putrajaya Hospital
Address: Jalan P9, Presint 7,
62250 Putrajaya, WP Putrajaya.
Contact: +603-83124200
5. Selayang Hospital
Address: B21, Lebuhraya Selayang – Kepong,
68100 Batu Caves, Selangor.
Contact: +603-61263333
7. Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital
Address: Jalan Langat, 41200 Klang, Selangor.
Contact: +603-33757000
Image for illustration purposes only.
Image via TherapyRoomHire
Note: You won’t need a referral letter for these places:
1. Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara
Address: 11, Jalan Teknologi, PJU 5 Kota Damansara,
47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Contact: +603-62871111
2. University of Malaya Specialist Centre
Address: Lot 28, Lorong Universiti,
Lembah Pantai, 50603 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-78414000 | +603-78414188
(Based on practitioner’s availability)
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) services
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELLING
1. Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA)
Address: TTDI Plaza, Block A, Unit 2-8
Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fee: RM30 – RM150
Contact: +6017-6133039 | Website
2. Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA)
Address: 31, Jalan Changgai 6/22,
Seksyen 6, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Fee: RM50 – RM250
Contact: +6012-2479561 | +6012-7212399 | Website
3. HumanKind
Address: 3-29, Block B, MAHSA Avenue,
Jalan Ilmu, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Fee: RM50 (Masters-level interns)
Contact: +6012-3005453 | Website
Private services
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, PSYCHOTHERAPY, AND/OR COUNSELLING
1. InPsych Psychological And Counselling Services
Address: 7-3, Medan, 28, Jalan Klang Lama,
58200 Kuala Lumpur.
Fee: RM250 – RM375
Contact: +6017-3311216 | Website
2. RELATE Malaysia
Address: Lorong Gombak,
50100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fee: RM45 – RM150
Contact: [email protected] | Website
3. Serene Psychological Services
Address: 2D Level 2, Wisma Lifecare,
Jalan Kerinchi, Bangsar South,
59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fee: RM50 – RM280
Contact: +6018-7772242 | Website
4. Rekindle Centre for Systemic Therapy
Address: 42, Jalan 25/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL.
Fee: RM50 onwards.
Contact: +6019-3698519 | +603-62017488 | Website
5. Kin & Kids Marriage, Family, And Child Therapy Centre
They have two branches in PJ and KL.
Fee: RM100 – RM500
Contact: +6019-3800902 | +6018-6670902 | Website
6. The Red Clinic
Address: 23-P1, Block, B, Jaya One, 72A, Jalan Universiti,
46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Fee: RM145 – RM220
Contact: +6010-8730175 | Website
7. The Mind Faculty
Address: 11-G & 11-1 Jalan Solaris 4, Solaris Mont Kiara,
Jalan Solaris, Off Jalan Duta Kiara,
50480 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL.
Fee: RM350 onwards.
Contact: +603-62030359 | +603-62030733 |
+6010-2007229 (WhatsApp only) | Website
8. Soul Mechanics
Address: Giza 03-09, 12A-3, Jalan PJU 5/15, Kota Damansara,
47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Fee: RM146 – RM250 onwards.
Contact: +6010-2521734 (Gia) | +6019-3959211 (Devi) | Website
HOTLINES
1. Befrienders (24 hours)
Address: 95, Jalan Templer,
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Contact: +603-79272929 | +603-79568145
2. Women’s Aid Organisation
Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7am – 10pm
Contact: +603-79563488
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058 (24 hours) | Website
3. Talian Kasih
Contact: 15999 | +6019-2615999 (WhatsApp)
The more we talk about it, the more we destigmatise mental health issues. And the more we destigamatise it, the more we allow those around us to reach out for support and help.
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. More often than not, they affect each other.
If you know of experienced and affordable therapists out there, the best thing you can do is to share that info with family and friends.
Let’s not wait until it’s too late.