Editor’s Note: Updated on 16th November 2021.
Need someone to talk to? Do you sometimes feel that you’re tired, alone, depressed and disconnected with the outside world? With makchic‘s #MamaSecrets efforts on Instagram, it was clear that many mothers wanted someone to express their sadness and frustration to. It was also obvious that many were looking for mental and emotional support.
If you need someone to lend an ear, here is a list to seek therapy, guidance and support for a variety of issues:
Government Services
1. National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia (LPPKN)
LPPKN is a national institution that focuses on families. It falls under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. If you need family and marriage counselling, the board provides the service of registered counsellors at its many centres throughout the country. In addition to counselling, family planning and clinical services for reproductive health are also available.
Address: Ibu Pejabat LPPKN, Bahagian Pembangunan Keluarga, Unit Kaunseling, 12B, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2613 7555
Pegawai Psikologi LPPKN Negeri Selangor: +603-5510 0915
Pegawai Psikologi LPPKN WPKL: +603-2693 4555
Email: penduduk@lppkn.gov.my
Website: http://www.lppkn.gov.my
Community-Based Institutions
1. Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia
Agape offers counselling and pre-marital seminars and workshops, as well as play therapy, sand play and expressive therapy services. Established in 1985, they were the first counselling centre with Mandarin as a medium of service.
Address: 56, Jalan PJS 1/46, Taman Petaling Utama, Petaling Jaya 46150 Selangor.
Contact: +603-7781 0800 or +603-7785 5955
Email: agapemal@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agapeklHQ
Website: http://agape.org.my/
Note: Online consultation is available. They operate on a donation basis.
2. Calvary Life Ministries
Established in 1993 as a non-profit counselling and care organisation, CLM provides counselling services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. All counselling is professionally supervised by consultants who are professionals in the field of Clinical Psychology, Counselling or Psychiatry.
Address: 4, Jalan Damansara Endah, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2095 6360
Email: clm@clm.org.my
Website: http://clm.org.my/
Note: Online consultation is available. Price range from RM60 to RM200. They operate on a donation basis as well.
3. HumanKind
Humankind is a registered social enterprise based in Kuala Lumpur that is on a mission to improve the social and emotional well-being of all communities especially communities that are underserved and vulnerable. They do not charge for counseling services, however there is a RM50 fee to help them cover costs related to running this service.
Website: https://www.humankind.my
Appointments: All counseling is by appointment only from Monday to Sunday, 9:00am to 9:00pm. They are not able to take walk-in appointments. You can schedule a counseling session here.
Note: It is important to note that it is their policy not to turn anyone away based on their inability to pay.
4. Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA)
Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) is a non-profit voluntary organisation managed by an elected committee of interested persons and professionals in the community. MMHA was formed in 1967 by a group of mental health professionals and community leaders from University Hospital. They offer counselling and psychotherapy services for individuals, couples, families and children at a minimal fee.
Address: TTDI Plaza, Block A Unit 2-8, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000, Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +6017 – 613 3039 (Hotline) or +603-2780 6803
Email: admin@mmha.org.my
Website: https://mmha.org.my
Note: In light of the pandemic, they have extended their operating hours from 9.00am – 9.00pm daily, including public holidays.
Hotline
1. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) – Telenita
Survivors of sexual assault or harassment and domestic violence could seek help from AWAM. Services are provided for free, with AWAM engaging intern counsellors working on their Masters to provide counselling and emotional support. They also collaborate with KL and Selangor Legal Aid Centre to provide free legal advice. AWAM also provides referrals should survivors require services best served by other organisations, such as family therapy and shelter.
Address: 85, Jalan 21/1, Sea Park, Petaling Jaya, 46300 Selangor.
Contact: +603-7877 4221 (AWAM), +6016-237 4221 or +6016-228 4221 (Telenita)
Email: telenita@awam.org.my or awam@awam.org.my
Website: https://www.awam.org.my/
2. Befrienders KL
The amazing Befrienders has served as a trusted and confidential safe space for people since 1970. A group of volunteers, with the help of professional psychiatrists and psychologists, lend their ears and shoulders to cry on with no judgement. Whether you’re lonely, suicidal or just need someone to talk to, you can seek emotional support via three channels: a telephone helpline that is available 24 hours every day throughout the year, face-to-face through a prior appointment, or email at sam@befrienders.org.my.
Address: 95 Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya, 46000 Selangor.
Contact: +603-7956 8145 or +603-7627 2929 [24 hours]
Email: sam@befrienders.org.my (for emotional support) or admin@befrienders.org.my (for administrative matters)
Website: https://www.befrienders.org.my
3. Talian Kasih
Talian Kasih provides emergency services for those suffering from abuse, neglect or household violence, but they also offer counselling services through their hotline. They also provide support for single mothers, the poor and those with disabilities.
Contact: 15999 or +6019-261 5999 (for WhatsApp only)
Email: taliannur@kpwkm.gov.my
4. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
If you’re going through an abusive relationship and need shelter and support, you can also reach out to WAO. Since 1982, the organisation has provided free shelter, counselling, and crisis support to women and children who face abuse.
Contact: +6018 988 8058 (for WhatsApp or SMS only, 9.00am – 12.00am) or +603-3000 8858 (WAO Hotline, 9.00am – 12.00am) or +603-7957 5636 / 0636 (Office Number)
Email: info@wao.org.my
Website: https://wao.org.my/
Private Services
1. InPsych Psychological & Counselling Services
In addition to the customary clinical psychologists and registered counsellors, the team at InPsych includes an Education Psychologist (specialising in issues associated with learning and motivation), and a Sexuality Consultant. The latter could be a useful resource if you have sexual anxiety and disorders, or if you are struggling with issues of this nature with your partner.
Address: 7-3, (3rd floor), Medan Klang Lama 28, Jalan Klang Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6017-331 1216
Email: inquiry@inpsych.com.my
Website: http://www.inpsych.com.my/
Note: Online consultation is available. Price range depends on type of services.
2. Kin & Kids Marriage, Family and Child Therapy Center
With a multi-disciplinary team that includes clinical psychologists, registered psychotherapists, and licensed and registered counsellors, this centre provides an extensive range of services which includes family mediation and post- divorce co-parenting counselling. If you are planning to tie the knot, you could opt for the Pre-marital Personal Relationship Evaluation, that would help you learn the skills you might need to build a happy and lasting marriage.
Address: 10-8, Binjai 8 Premium Soho, No. 2, Lorong Binjai, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, or 5-05-03, Block 5, VSQ @ PJ City Centre, Jalan Utara, 46200 Petaling Jaya.
Contact: +6019-380 0902 or +6018-667 0902
Email: enquiries@kinandkids.com
Website: http://www.kinandkids.com/
Note: Online consultation is available. Price range from RM150 (for a 50-minute session) to RM400.
3. The Mind Psychology Services & Training
There is a large team of clinical psychologists, health and sports psychologists and counsellors at The Mind. This allows the centre to provide a wide range of services, such as therapies for children and families and support groups for sleep management and weight loss. The team also runs training in areas such as mindfulness techniques and stress management.
Address: C-41-1, Jaya One, Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya.
Contact: +603-7931 8436
Email: contact@themind.com.my
Website: http://www.themind.com.my
Note: Online consultation is available. Price range depends on type of services.
4. Rekindle Centre for Systemic Therapy
As the name of the centre indicates, the team at Rekindle uses a systemic approach when providing support for families. Hugely popular in the US, the approach utilises different therapies to assist a troubled family. For example, while parents try to work through their struggles with a marriage therapist, their young children could engage in play or child therapy. After that, the whole family can also undergo sessions together, with a family therapist.
Address: 42-2 Jalan 25/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-6201 7488 or +6019-369 8519
Email: enquiries@rekindletherapy.com
Website: http://rekindletherapy.com/
Note: Online consultation is available. In-person sessions are on a case-to-case basis. Price range from RM325 (for a 75-minute session) to RM600.
5. The Mind Faculty
There’s an integrated approach to mental health here. This is due to the impressive credentials and different areas of expertise of the 25 psychiatrists and practitioners at The Mind Faculty. You could seek treatment for a myriad of issues including addiction and eating disorders. Psychological evaluations are also available to determine academic readiness or developmental delay. And if you are looking for a counsellor specialising in relationship issues, and with a wealth of experience, look no further than Ms Sharan Kaur.
Address: 11, Jalan Solaris 4, Solaris Mont’ Kiara, Jalan Solaris, Off Jalan Duta Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-6203 0359 or +603-6203 0733 or +60 10-200 7229 (for WhatsApp only)
E-mail: enquiries@themindfaculty.com
Website: https://themindfaculty.com
Note: Online consultation is available. Price range from RM330 to RM600.
5. Telos Mental Wellness
Deriving its name from the Greek word for “goal”, “aim”, or ”purpose”, Telos Mental Wellness’ goal is to help individuals achieve their unique goals through their private and confidential counselling sessions. Mental health screening services and individual counselling sessions are conducted by experienced licensed and registered mental health therapists and are available online or in-person at their space in Subang Jaya. The centre also conducts workshops and seminars on topics ranging from depression and stress management, to mindfulness and self-care.
Address: WORQ Subang, Unit 2-1, Level 2, The Podium, Tower 3, UOA Business Park, No 1, Jalan Pengaturcara U1/51a, Seksyen U1, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor
Contact: +6011-542 09007
E-mail: telosmentalwellness@gmail.com
Website: https://www.telosmentalwellness.com
Note: Online consultation is available. Prioritising affordable access to mental health support, sessions are priced at RM120 per session (for 60 minutes) or RM100 per session (for 60 minutes) for their 6-session package. Mental health screening services are also available at RM80 per appointment to facilitate a better understanding of one’s mental and emotional health.
Please note that this list isn’t exhaustive and details stated might be subject to change. Do email hello@makchicsuri.com if you know of any other centres or support groups.