Malaysia: Only 100 Clinical psychologists in country

Posted on February 19, 2014

MALAYSIA is lacking in clinical psychologists to deal with the mental health problems of the people and maintain their psychological wellbeing.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said there were only 100 registered clinical psychologists nationwide, with fewer than 10 practitioners serving in the government.

"The rate of clinical psychologists graduating from local universities is worrying. We only have 20 to 30 graduates yearly."

He said according to the National Health Study in 2011, 12 per cent of the adult population in the country suffered some form of mental illness, such as anxiety, stress, psychosis, schizophrenia and split personality, among others.

"It is timely for the Health Ministry to give more prominence to mental health issues through budget allocations, expediting mental healthcare guidelines and ensuring their implementation in the workplace.

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Category(s):Mental Health in Asia, Mental Health Professions

Source material from New Straits Times