PUTRAJAYA – The National Counselling Policy will be introduced to address mental health issues in the community by empowering counselling services, according to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
The ministry in a statement today said the move was among the matters agreed upon at the National Social Council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin via video conference yesterday.
The meeting also raised the need for the involvement of all ministries and agencies to address mental health issues in the community, as well as create social intervention.
It also said the level of national preparedness and strategy for Malaysia reaching ageing nation status by 2030 were also discussed, covering aspects of elderly care, financial and social protection, education, and employment for senior citizens through the formulation of the senior citizen action plan.
Apart from that, the meeting also discussed volunteering activities that offer vital help to people in need, especially with the country hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The meeting agreed that there is a need to strengthen volunteerism through smart collaboration and to introduce the time banking scheme to encourage more active participation (of volunteers),” it said.
It added that one briefing paper and four papers for consideration were also discussed in the meeting, namely, the terms of reference of the National Social Council and the review of the National Social Policy and its direction.
The discussion also touched on the Action Plan for Social Sustainability towards an Ageing Nation 2030 as part of the country’s preparation in becoming an ageing nation.
Other matters discussed included a suggestion that relevant agencies should work in an integrated manner to address mental health issues; counselling services empowerment to serve as a support system; and volunteerism empowerment with agencies involved.
The meeting was also attended by cabinet members, Chief Secretary to Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and Public Service Department Director-General Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman. – Bernama, April 20, 2021
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