KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) is to continue strengthening the support system and access to mental health services nationwide, including through the development of a mental health policy at the workplace, which is currently undergoing an engagement process with stakeholders.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad said MOH is engaging with the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) and other relevant agencies to ensure the policy is developed comprehensively, taking into account the needs of various parties.
“This process requires broader consultation before the policy can be finalised, to prevent it from being implemented in isolation without sufficient coordination between agencies,” he said during a press conference after officiating the National-Level World Mental Health Month 2026 celebration here today.
MOH is also expanding access to mental health services through 1,116 government health clinics nationwide, in addition to hospitals and community-based services such as Community Mental Health Centres (MENTARI).
He noted that there are approximately 700 registered psychiatrists in Malaysia, with 400 serving within
Dzulkefly added that MOH continues to expand specialised psychiatric training, while also optimising the roles of other healthcare personnel through a “task-shifting” approach.
“This approach also involves over 500 family medicine specialists who provide mental health services at the primary healthcare level,” he said.
There are approximately 300 counselors within the ministry, while a total of 10,000 counselors are registered with the Board of Counselors of Malaysia nationwide.
Additionally, 68 Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals and four psychiatric institutions provide psychiatric services, bringing the total to 72 facilities.
He said that the involvement of various categories of healthcare personnel allows the public to access assistance and early intervention, without having to rely solely on the services of psychiatrists.
According to him, more than 55,000 civil servants have been identified as being at high risk of mental health issues including suicidal tendencies based on screenings conducted via Civil Servants’ Psychological Health Digital Profile System (MyPsyD).
“The demand of professionalism should not come at the expense of the sanity and well-being of our own workforce,” he said. — Bernama