KLANG: In response to the growing need for mental healthcare advocacy in Selangor, the Selangor Mental Health Association (SMHA) has been established by a group of mental health advocates, according to its president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj.
Dr Mohanraj, who is also the president of the Malaysian Mental Health Association, mentioned that SMHA aims to focus on serving the B40 and M40 communities in the state. He pointed out that while high-income earners have easy access to private mental health support providers, individuals from lower income groups often struggle to afford such care due to their financial difficulties.
This lack of access to mental healthcare can lead vulnerable individuals to express their frustrations through domestic violence, child abuse, truancy, and other forms of social misconduct. Dr Mohanraj also stressed that many of these individuals may not even be aware that their behavior is motivated by underlying mental health issues. In many cases, it falls to women to bear the burden of coping with these situations.
SMHA was officially launched in May this year at a People’s Housing Project (PPR) site in Serendah, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to initiating mental healthcare initiatives within low and medium-income communities. The launch event was initiated by Gunaraj George, the community affairs special officer to Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Dr Mohanraj highlighted that SMHA is also responsive to the call made by Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for the public to be more sensitive towards individuals suffering from mental health issues. The Ruler emphasized that those with mental health problems should receive appropriate treatment just like individuals with physical ailments. Inspired by this call and the Selangor Sehat Psychiatric Treatment Subsidy program, SMHA is motivated to develop and provide mental health initiatives for the masses.
Dr Mohanraj expressed gratitude towards the Selangor state government for its efforts to bridge the treatment gap and provide mental health services for Selangorians. He particularly commended the support provided to the B40 category, as this group is especially vulnerable to increased stress, depression, and anxiety.
Last year, the Selangor government announced that it would subsidize the first two weeks of psychiatric treatment for residents under the program. According to a social media post by Amirudin, RM222,600 was allocated for the program to cover the cost of screening, psychiatric consultation, basic psychotherapy treatment, and medication for the lower income group.
Dr Mohanraj expressed the willingness of SMHA to collaborate with the state government in promoting mental health awareness and providing subsidized services to Selangorians in the lower socio-economic group.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
