QUOTE(Stevecy @ Aug 15 2013, 04:58 PM)
Personally I am in the mental health field and I would like to get a gauge from the online community on the perceptions on mental health care in Malaysia.
How likely will you consider seeking help from a mental health professional (e.g: Counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist) if let's say you are facing a mental health crisis or major obstacle in life (e.g.: bad breakup, grief, loss of job etc)
As a bonus question, are you aware of any of these services that are available to you?
Feel free to share your experiences, be it good or bad
i think in asian culture, mental or psychological health is something most people choose to ignore or choose not to acknowledge. Typically, parents of kids with mental issues would expect this sort of "sickness" would heal by itself, over the time and they fail to realise, mental health is equally important as your health as a whole, till it's too late.How likely will you consider seeking help from a mental health professional (e.g: Counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist) if let's say you are facing a mental health crisis or major obstacle in life (e.g.: bad breakup, grief, loss of job etc)
As a bonus question, are you aware of any of these services that are available to you?
Feel free to share your experiences, be it good or bad
the public is not making it easier either. Public perceptions of those who has gone for psychological treatment is often perceived as "orang gila" and therefore would stay as far as possible from people like them, especially, family members when family support is needed at crucial times like this.
and since mental health is not given much priority over here, i dont know where to start when i really needed to get help. the only thing i've heard is "Befrienders" and how extensive and reliable of them helping is still questionable.
i was searching for counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist for someone very dear to me (he claimed he has anxiety disorder, from the symptoms he read online, i thought it would be good for him to seek professional help) and there isnt a proper channel for me to connect him to. all i know is i can start with a counsellor from unis / colleges and it's a matter of trial and error. if the counsellor is not suitable or the search continues.
and the fees for session isnt exactly cheap.