Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is showcasing its community-based mental health care model through the Mentari Malaysia (Mentari) programme as an example of the country's efforts to build a more inclusive, accessible and recovery-oriented healthcare system at the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM) here today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mentari Medical Officer at Selayang Hospital, Dr Mohamad Hafiz Zulkifli, said the programme, introduced by the Health Ministry (MoH), aims to shift the focus of mental health care from hospital-based institutionalisation towards prevention and community-based recovery. The Mentari approach not only provides easier access to treatment and focuses on early intervention, but also includes vocational rehabilitation to help patients regain independence and function within the community.
Dr Mohamad Hafiz explained that in the past, patients were often placed in institutions for long periods, but now the aim is for them to live with their families and contribute to society again. He emphasized that medication alone may not be enough for recovery, hence the incorporation of other rehabilitation aspects to aid their reintegration into the community. This programme targets adults aged between 18 and 60 and currently operates 40 centres nationwide, with more planned for the future.
Malaysia is also leveraging digital technology to strengthen early screening and intervention, allowing the public to undergo initial mental health screenings online to identify those at risk before conditions become more serious. However, Dr Mohamad Hafiz noted that this screening is not a diagnosis, and at-risk individuals will be referred to healthcare officers or specialists for further assessment and treatment.
The Mentari model also addresses the stigma surrounding mental illness, enabling patients to receive treatment closer to home while maintaining family support as a crucial part of recovery. The effectiveness of the Mentari model has been recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which selected it as a high-potential project in the Western Pacific region and documented it as a global case study reference.
Dr Mohamad Hafiz expressed hope that Malaysia's experiences shared at the 17th AHMM would inspire other ASEAN member states to transform their mental health services and adapt community-based approaches to their healthcare needs while fostering exchange of views and experiences. The 17th AHMM, held in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 7 to 11, is chaired by Malaysia, with Myanmar as vice-chair, under the theme 'Healthy ASEAN: Together Towards Equitable, Future-Ready Health Systems'.