Rates of suicide tendencies and mental health disorders sparked by Malaysia’s lockdowns were the main reason for calls to the psycho-social assistance hotlines, reported The Star.
Individuals are struggling with job losses, stigmatisation, and a scarcity of basic necessities. While their basic necessities are being covered to a certain extent via the #KibarBenderaPutih movement, it’s been tougher to find accessible mental health help.
This list serves as an update to our 2020 piece on affordable mental health services written during World Mental Health Month in October. Compiled by Amanda from Pocket of Care, the Instagram user was one of the parties that helped gather these names in last year’s post as well.
All services included below are considered affordable as they’re priced under RM100 per session. The services are mostly conducted by trainee psychologists or counsellors undertaking their Masters to eventually become licensed professionals in the field.
To confirm that the rates shared in Amanda’s post were accurate, Vulcan Post also reached out to the service providers for verification. Thus, the rates shared below are accurate at the time of writing, and exclude any possible prescribed medication.
Disclaimer: This list is not exhaustive, and if you are in a life-threatening situation or an emergency, call the free, 24-hour hotlines: Talian Kasih at 15999 or Befrienders at 03-79568145 for immediate help.
1. Humankind
Humankind is made up of Master of Professional Counselling or Psychology interns who are all under the supervision of licensed and experienced mental health practitioners. Their sessions are priced at RM50.
Those who are unable to pay the full price due to financial reasons can tell their counsellors what they can afford. It’s in line with the service’s policy not to turn anyone away based on their financial situation.
Cost: RM50 (trainee).
Contact: Book an appointment on their website.
2. Thrive Well
Previously known as SOLS Health, the entity has been rebranded to Thrive Well and conducts its services in English, BM, and Mandarin.
Thrive Well is a social enterprise with a focus on extending mental health services to marginalised and high-needs communities in a sustainable manner.
Counselling services with subsidised prices are offered to students, OKU, or those with a household income below RM3,500/month. To apply, documents of proof (student ID, OKU card, or payslips) must be provided and will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
These sessions will be conducted by trainees and cost RM50/hour for individuals, and RM100/1.5 hours for couples and families.
Otherwise, the standard prices for its Psychological Management Consultation with associate therapists are RM150/hour for individuals, and RM250/1.5 hour for couples or families.
Cost: RM50/individual or RM150/couple or family (for students, OKU, or B40 families, all conducted by trainees).
Contact: WhatsApp 018-9003247 or make an appointment on their website.
3. MentCouch Psychology Centre
MentCouch Psychology Centre provides a safe and friendly environment to open up in. Thus, their Lend an Ear programme was created for those who simply want a listening ear without judgment and in a supervised environment.
Its team confirmed with Vulcan Post that their Lend an Ear service is still available for RM50.
Cost: RM50 (Lend an Ear).
Contact: Message them on Facebook or Instagram.
4. Malaysian Mental Health Association
Formed by a group of mental health professionals from University Malaya Medical Centre (formerly University Hospital), Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) wants to destigmatise mental illness in the community.
Psychological support services with MMHA’s trainees are available for RM50 per session, while the fees for a certified counsellor are RM100 per session and RM120 for the first session.
MMHA also offers subsidies to clients who are unable to afford the fee due to financial difficulties.
Cost: RM50 (trainee).
Contact: WhatsApp 017-6133039 or message them on Facebook or Instagram.
5. People Psychological Solutions
It’s an oft-quoted statistic that 1 out of 4 people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. People Psychological Solutions (PPS) aims to offer comprehensive psychological assessments and therapy services for students, working professionals, and the like.
Online counselling is available to those who prefer to have the convenience of therapy in their own private space. Each session with a trainee undertaking their final year of Master’s-level practicum will cost RM60, while a session with a qualified member of PPS’s team is RM250.
Engaged in evidence-based practice, they will only facilitate and provide advice that is proven to be effective from available research when addressing your presenting issues.
Cost: RM60 (trainee).
Contact: WhatsApp 017-8992207.
6. Mentem Psychological Services
Based in Subang Jaya, Mentem Psychological Services (Mentem) practices a non-judgmental outlook on clients and works with people from all walks of life. Its team does so through services like Expressive Art, Play and Sand Tray Therapy, Personality Profile Assessments, and Individual Therapy.
Counselling sessions with Mentem’s trainees who are Master’s students currently doing their clinical training will cost RM80/hour. Otherwise, a session with its clinical psychologists will cost RM250-RM300/hour, depending on their years of experience.
Cost: RM80 (trainee).
Contact: WhatsApp 012-3661090 or email mentempsy.info@gmail.com.
7. Aloe Mind
Aloe Mind is an online platform connecting people in need to licensed therapists and counsellors, and they exclusively conduct sessions via voice or video calls in Malaysia and Singapore.
With a mission to make mental health care affordable and accessible to all, its site has a free mental health test you can take to get a better understanding of your state of mind.
Online sessions with Aloe Mind’s licensed therapists start at RM80 for a mental health screening, though they’re having an indefinite promo that prices it at RM50 with the code “ALOE30”. Meanwhile, subsequent sessions will cost RM120 each if one registers within July.
Cost: RM50 on promo (mental health screening).
Contact: WhatsApp or call 017-803 8384 or make an appointment on their website.
Editor’s Note: Information in this section has been updated to reflect a greater accuracy of statements.
8. Psycle Consultancy
With expertise in chronic illness management, anger management, and a range of mental health disorders, Psycle Consultancy integrates both physical and mental healthcare. Its online therapy for individuals was created in an effort to help the community manage stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under this programme, those with financial difficulties can schedule a 60-minute initial consultation via Zoom with the team’s trainee clinical psychologists at the rate of RM30. Depending on the person’s financial circumstances, subsequent sessions may be either RM30/session or free of charge, its team told Vulcan Post.
Psycle Consultancy is also currently offering psychological services in the areas of stress management, sleep issues, anxiety, depression, etc. for RM30 as a limited time offer.
Cost: RM30 (trainee).
Contact: WhatsApp 018-7798677 or email psycleconsultancy@gmail.com.
9. SEED Connections
SEED Connections was established to care for the mental health and socio-emotional well-being of children and families. Services available include Play Therapy for children, Online Counselling/Psychotherapy, and Family/Couples Therapy.
Although its counselling services by trainees (RM50) are fully booked at the moment, appointments can be made with clinical psychologists and counsellors (RM150-RM210).
Vulcan Post was informed that those who are keen but cannot afford the fees can send in their request and apply for sliding fees (pay what you can afford). This is in line with their aim of providing affordable mental health services to everyone.
Cost: RM50 (trainee), RM150-RM201 (clinical psychologists and counsellors).
Contact: WhatsApp 017-2776605 or via their Instagram.
Services that are currently fully-booked, but will be available again soon:
10. Cara Cara
Looking at mental health as a mental fitness goal, Cara Cara wants individuals to achieve personal and professional growth without breaking the bank. Hence, updated prices for its mental workout (therapy) packages start at an RM50/hour session with trainee counsellors.
You could also opt for sessions with a professional counsellor for RM120/session, or a 6-session package at RM480 in total (RM80/session). As Cara Cara’s waitlist is currently closed, public bookings will be reopened once counsellors are available.
Cost: RM50 (trainee).
Contact: Register for a session here.
11. Serene Psychological Services
Serene Psychological Services provides psychological consultation, psychotherapy, counselling and psychological assessments for a variety of mental disorders.
In addition, assessments for children such as IQ tests, ADHD assessments, autism spectrum disorder assessments, etc. are also available at the centre.
As their appointments with trainees (RM60) are currently booked up, its team told Vulcan Post that they will be accepting new clients in August.
Cost: RM60 (trainee).
Contact: Whatsapp 018-7772242 or email serenepsychology@gmail.com.
12. Centre of Psychological and Counselling Services
Established by the Department of Psychology of HELP University, Centre of Psychological and Counselling Services (CPCS) aims to make mental healthcare accessible to the community.
CPCS serves as a training facility for the students undergoing their Master of Clinical Psychology and Masters in Counselling programmes. All profits from CPCS will be used for the funding of community service projects.
As all appointments with trainees are fully booked, registration is temporarily closed for the general public (except HELP University students and staff) until further notice.
Cost: Free for HELP students, RM30/hour for the public (trainee).
Contact: Message them on Instagram or register on their website.
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Please do not hesitate to reach out for help if you or a loved one is suffering from anxiety, depression, anger issues, or other mental health conditions, whether it’s caused or aggravated by the pandemic or not.
Again, if you are in a life-threatening situation or an emergency, call the free, 24-hour hotlines: Talian Kasih at 15999 or Befrienders at 03-79568145 for immediate help.
- You can read our comparison of top-rated mental health apps here.
Featured Image Credit: 123rf.com
