Govt targets 11,000 counsellors by 2020

PUTRAJAYA: The government wants the country to have 11,000 professional counsellors by 2020, one for every 2,945 Malaysians.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said 8,039 counsellors were registered with the Board of Counsellors up to Aug 31, or one for every 4,030 people.

“The current ratio is too big as the social problems faced by people are more complex, and the role of counsellors and their services are crucial to help people face pressures of life,” she said after launching the 2018 National Counselling Month, and Family and Marriage Counselling Services Guidelines here yesterday.

“I call on every counsellor in the country to register with the board and enhance their skills and knowledge through Continuing Professional Development programmes offered by the board.

“This is in the hope that more people will get access to counselling services with more professionals in the field.”

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the women, family and community development minister, wants more research to be carried out in counselling, taking into account contemporary issues in the country.

“For example, the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2015 by the Health Ministry found that there is a prevalence of mental health problems among Malaysians above the age of 16, whereby 29.2 per cent or 4.2 million suffer from it,” she said.

“The same survey last year found that 39.7 per cent of teenagers suffered from anxiety, followed by depression (18.3 per cent) and stress (9.6 per cent).

“The study proves counselling services must start at an early stage. Intervention at the school level, involving parents, is much needed.”

Dr Wan Azizah called attention to the establishment of Tabung Ehsan Waris Kaunselor Berdaftar by the Board of Counsellors to recognise deceased counsellors and provide assistance to their next-of-kin.

“As initial funding, the board will contribute RM10,000. The fund will give RM1,500 to the family of the deceased,” she said.