SHAH ALAM: There was a need for the Selangor State government to look into providing more mental health care in the state.
This is because there was a marked increase in the number of people suffering from mental health issues in the country,’’ said Selangor Opposition chief and Hulu Kelang assemblyman Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
Azmin who was debating the state’s 2025 budget tabled by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari on Friday (Nov 15), said statistics indicated that many adults suffered mental health issues.
“The country’s statistics have indicated that 29.2 % of the adult population, aged 16 and above, have some mental health problems,’’ said Azmin.
Azmin added he went through the Institute for Youth Research’s 2021 report and found it worrisome that the attempted suicide rate, which was 953 in 2019, had jumped to 2,119 in 2020.
“This is a figure that demands the state government to seek measures and find a solution for this critical problem,’’ said Azmin.
He then suggested increasing the number of clinical psychologists in public hospitals and government health clinics.
Azmin added that only about 400 clinical psychologists were currently serving those in need of psychiatric counselling in the country.
“This number is very small and cannot meet the increasing demand.
“I was also made to understand that many clinical psychology trainees are prepared to render their services and perhaps the state can pull them to help those in need of treatment,’’ said Azmin.
According to him, there was also a need to build low-cost mental health clinics for those from the B40 and M40 categories as it was not possible for them to seek help at private hospitals and mental healthcare facilities due to the high cost.
“I would also like to suggest to the state government to have support programmes for mental health and this should start from schools as our children spend most of their time there,’’ added Azmin.
