THE RM70 million in Budget 2022 for mental health concerns is not a huge amount and must be allocated wisely, psychologists said. 

Dr Joel Low, director and clinical psychologist at The Mind Psychological Services and Training, said the RM70 million is “a drop in the ocean” given the number of cases and people affected during the Covid-19 epidemic.

“If you took that RM70 million, and maybe spent it on training. There are not many new therapists or therapy sessions. 

“It should be spent on awareness for all age groups that’s not fear-based, but promotes understanding,” said Low, who is an exco member of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology. 

Psychologist Dr Tan Chee Seng agreed that RM70 million is insufficient for covering mental health issues in all states and federal territories in the country. 

He suggested the sum be turned into grants researchers and practitioners can apply for.

“The experts would be interested as they have ideas and they know the needs of the people. Allow them to do their jobs and utilise the evidence-based methods,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

If turned into grants, open calls for proposals should be made instead of directly appointing public universities to take charge, he added.

“Openly calling for proposals will increase the chance of getting a good quality project. Each state has local civil society groups and practitioners who know the area better than others.

“The ministry can ensure the funding is really utilised for projects,” Tan said. 

Clinical psychologist and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman lecturer, Pheh Kai Shuen said the budget should be used to strengthen primary and secondary prevention programmes that are sustainable and scalable and allow greater dissemination.

“For example, include mental health screening in the MySejahtera app, and link it to the healthcare system.

“People who are at-risk can be directed to their nearest healthcare facilities based on their postcode,” Pheh suggested. 

Clinical psychologist Justine Thong said the government should increase the availability of mental health professionals at government clinics and hospitals nationwide. 

“Right now, many government hospitals are not hiring or have any relevant department for mental health professionals to work at,” she said.

Alternatively, the fund could also be used as government subsidies to the private sector which can help shoulder the demand. 

Chief executive officer of NeufEC consultancy centre Alice Lee added that the government must remember to allocate support services for children who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.

There should be school prevention programmes on identifying and helping children learn to cope with grief or anxiety, she said.

Malaysian Mental Health Association president Dr Andrew Mohanraj also wants the government to focus on mental health post-pandemic. 

He welcomed the individual income tax relief for health examination expenses.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced the individual tax relief for mental health services and the RM70 million allocation when tabling Budget 2022 in Parliament yesterday.

He said the fund should be used to strengthen support services, counselling and psychosocial, increase advocacy programmes and strengthen the role of civil society groups as drivers of mental health programmes. 

According to police data, there were 638 suicides in Malaysia between January and July this year, compared with 262 cases during the same period last year. – October 30, 2021.