Psychiatric Consultation Guide

Note: This guide was derived from People Psychological Services (n.d.) and Ahmad (2023).

Government Hospital (Hospital Kajang was contacted for the guide below)

Step 1:

Receive a referral letter addressed to a government hospital for psychiatric evaluation. This letter can be obtained from a medical doctor. Referral letters from both private clinics or government clinics/ klinik kesihatan are accepted. If you are already undergoing therapy with a psychologist, your psychologist can also prepare a referral letter for you.

Note: Based on our inquiry at Hospital Kajang and UMMC, a psychologist’s letter is valid for use. If you intend to go to other hospitals, please check with them if you intend to use a psychologist’s referral letter. In all likelihood, it can be accepted.

Step 2:

Head over to the psychiatric department during working hours (Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm) to arrange for an appointment.

Step 3:

Appointments are given based on the severity of your mental health symptoms. Manageable symptoms are usually given an appointment within 2-3 weeks.

Fee:

  • First visit costs RM5 if the referral was from a government clinic/ klinik kesihatan. However, it costs RM30 if the referral was from a private clinic. All follow-up appointments are RM5.
  • Fee is inclusive of medication provided.

Therapist qualifications:

A Psychiatrist or Medical Officer will consult you. If a counselor or clinical psychologist is present in the hospital, the doctor may refer your case for counseling or psychological services. This will depend on therapist’s availability and the suitability of your case.

Note: Counseling and psychological services services are available at Hospital Kajang.

Here’s a list of government hospitals that provide psychiatric treatments: 

Peninsular Malaysia:

  • Selangor: Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang, Hospital Selayang, Hospital Kajang, Hospital Ampang, Hospital Sungai Buloh
  • KL: Hospital Kuala Lumpur
  • Perlis: Hospital Tuanku Fauziah (Kangar)
  • Kedah: Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (Alor Setar), Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim (Sungai Petani)
  • Penang: Hospital Pulau Pinang
  • Perak: Hospital Taiping Hospital Bahagia (Ulu Kinta), Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (Ipoh)
  • Negeri Sembilan: Hospital Seremban
  • Melaka: Hospital Melaka
  • Johor: Hospital Sultanah Aminah (JB), Hospital Permah (JB), Hospital Tengku Fatimah (Muar)
  • Pahang: Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (Kuantan) Hospital Temerloh
  • Kelantan: Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab (Kota Bharu)

East Malaysia:

  • Sabah: Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang (Kota Kinabalu), Hospital Sandakan
  • Sarawak: Hospital Sentosa (Kuching), Hospital Miri, Hospital Umum Sarawak

University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)

Step 1:

Similar to step 1 above.

Step 2:

Head over to the psychiatric department during working hours (Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm) to arrange for an appointment.

Note: you are advised to come early to take a number (as early as 7.30am), as it is a first come first serve basis. Only TWELVE (12) patients are allowed to see the doctor per day. Throughout the MCO/ COVID-19 period, only SIX (6) patients are allowed.

Step 3:

If you had received a number, your turn will come to see the doctor on the same day.

Fee:

  • First visit costs RM30, and subsequent visits RM15 each, with an estimated RM40 for medication.
  • Medication fee may differ depending on what is prescribed.

Therapist qualifications:

Psychiatrist.

Counseling & Psychotherapy Services:

Depending on the suitability of your case, the psychiatrist may refer you to a licensed counselor or clinical psychologist. If you would like to receive counseling or psychological services, you may request for this service during your consultation with the psychiatrist. Your details will be entered into the system, and you will be contacted to schedule an appointment.

Wait time for counseling & psychotherapy:

Weeks to months. Due to overwhelming demand, receiving an appointment may not be a confirmed event.

Klinik MENTARI

MENTARI is a new initiative by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to improve mental health outreach. There are MENTARI branches in different states across Malaysia. The phone numbers for each branch are listed here (click).

Step 1:

Call the phone number of the MENTARI branch that you’d like to visit. Get their e-mail address.

Step 2:

Complete DASS-21 online (click here).

Step 3:

Screen capture the results that you have received. E-mail it over to the e-mail address of the respective MENTARI branch. Request for an appointment in the e-mail.

Note: We only called MENTARI Selayang. Their e-mail address is mentari.hsel@gmail.com. If you intend to visit another branch, kindly give them a call to get their e-mail address.

Step 4:

The person in charge will reply to your e-mail with an appointment time & date. (Note: due to overwhelming demand, the MENTARI branch that we called mentioned that the next appointment date will likely be 1 month from the time they receive the e-mail).

Fee:

  • First visit is free of charge. Subsequent visits are RM5.
  • Fee is inclusive of medication provided.

Therapist qualifications:

Psychiatrist or Medical Officer. Depending on the suitability of your case, the psychiatrist may refer you to a licensed counselor (if available at your selected MENTARI branch). Counseling services are dependent on availability, as the licensed counselor may only be there once per week.

Source:

People Psychological Solutions. (n.d.). The Ultimate Guide to Receiving Mental Health Services in Malaysia. Retrieved from: https://people.my/2020/10/28/the-ultimate-guide-to-receiving-mental-health-services-in-malaysia/

Ahmad, F. (2022, June 23). Here’s How M’sians Can Make An Appointment With Psychiatrists at Government Clinics. World of Buzz. Retrieved from: https://worldofbuzz.com/heres-how-msians-can-make-an-appointment-with-psychiatrists-at-government-clinics/

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