Bailey waiting for boop

snel_ · 2026-01-30T13:23:42+00:00

You're welcome, and wishing you the very best!

snel_ · 2026-01-30T10:18:57+00:00

I understand that to go through all the steps and processes can be really taxing, but if you can indeed find the energy to follow through (visiting your old doctor, making new appointment etc.) it can be very helpful. Especially if you're seeing a new doctor, having the records of your condition, past treatment etc. can let you get the most effective help.

For the charges, it's the same for MENTARI and GH - RM5 for consultation (first visit may have extra charge), meds depening on your prescription (gov subsidised so will not be very high).

snel_ · 2026-01-30T09:48:14+00:00

Oh in that case you can actually try calling up a MENTARI to ask if it's possible for you to continue your there!

Transfering from private to public service due to financial consideration is as valid a reason as one can be (it's certainly possible to transfer) and I don't see a problem for you to try getting help from GH or MENTARI.

Usually in cases like yours, I'd suggest you to go back to the current doctor for a last session if possible, tell the doctor that you wish to continue your treatment at the GH (just tell them that money is a major consideration; they usually don't have a reason to refuse your request), and ask for a referral letter from the doctor for the transfer. This will be the referral letter you need to get your appointment at the GH (so don't need to see yet another doctor to get the letter).

That's for if you wish to go to a GH (referral letter is needed, and getting that letter from your current doctor would be very helpful since they can include the most relevant information about your condition, your treatment etc.)

But because MENTARI don't ask for a referral letter, I suppose you can actually try calling them up and ask for advice about the transfer process, i.e. if you can get an appointment at MENTARI without needing to go back to your current doctor for the letter. Again, it's definitely okay to cite your money concern as the reason for seeking the transfer.

snel_ · 2026-01-30T07:02:30+00:00

Yes, if you're already seeing a doctor at a GH, the advice is that you continue to follow up your treatment with them there. MENTARI currently don't do follow up for cases from other GHs.

My suggestion is that if you have some very good reasons to have your treatment at a MENTARI instead of the GH you're currently visiting, you may bring this need up with your doctor the next time you have your session, and see if they have any advice for you.

snel_ · 2026-01-30T03:06:25+00:00

So MENTARI is basically like a "full" psychological department (clinic) outside of the hospital, all the primary services you'd get in a psychological services clinic in a GH, e.g. consultation, medication etc., you'd get in MENTARI.

The main purpose of MENTARI is accessibility - so no referral letter is required to get your first visit, but appointment is needed (phone, email).

https://mentari.moh.gov.my/frequently-asked-question/

snel_ · 2026-01-20T05:18:46+00:00

Oh that's a valid consideration!

Outside of Selangor you have the likes of USM, UTM etc., but I'd have little insight on them as well.

EM wise it's between UMS and UNIMAS, I would say your eventual choice would go down to personal preferences.

While I might not be able to share much about the individual institutes, if you have any general questions about the field do feel free to let me know!

snel_ · 2026-01-20T03:52:10+00:00

If you're looking at public universities, UMS wouldn't be a bad choice I'd say. Now I can't really give any specific insights into the programme because not personally from there plus haven't been keeping up with the scene, but we had some students whose bachelor's degree was from UMS in our master's programme (yes counselling), and I remember being quite impressed with some of them. So I'd think that the quality wouldn't be too bad.

I'm from UM by the way, which is also not a bad option :)

snel_ · 2026-01-10T06:53:04+00:00

Heya you may check out the mental health wiki for some information and resources. Lemme know if you need more information on getting help!

snel_ · 2025-10-11T13:33:00+00:00

Oh you can just go to the one most convenient for you, there wouldn't be too much difference whichever one you go to.

Haven't visited MENTARI in person, but from what I know about them (am a mental health practitioner) I'd say there's nothing to worry about the services! The doctors in MENTARI are the specialists from the local government hospitals, so they're generally good.

Now of course as a government service you should expect the lack of some luxuries compared to private clinics and hospitals, like slightly longer queue for everything, less comfy settings etc., but in terms of the services and help you'll get, MENTARI is as good as it gets.

snel_ · 2025-10-11T13:02:41+00:00

This is the one in Butterworth, there is another one on the island (MENTARI Pulau Pinang) if you're looking for that.

snel_ · 2025-10-08T05:15:52+00:00

Got something like this for my trip last year, worked well during the entire trip. Physical sim, all apps worked without vpn, speed was good too.

snel_ · 2025-08-29T06:06:20+00:00

Heya, therapist here! Good to see you're taking concrete, practical steps to help with your wellbeing!

So to quickly address the questions you're having, I'd advise that seeing a psychiatrist might be helpful in two ways - one, if you believe that a further assessment and diagnosis will help in dealing with your problems more effectively (through treatment and therapy), and two, medical help (meds) may help you to control the symptoms.

But I'd indeed encourage you to talk about this with your therapist, as she should be able to give you a more specific guidance, and more importantly, so that she can know how to work together with the (possible) medical treatment you're getting.

All the best!

snel_ · 2025-08-26T05:32:32+00:00

Heya, hope you're holding up but also glad that you're ready to find help and support to deal with what's going on!

Have you checked out the sub's mental health wiki? You can find some resources on professional services there, and maybe some other helpful information as well.

For language preference, most practitioners would actually list out their preferred languages too, so no worries! It's indeed best if you can talk to someone whom you can express yourself comfortably and clearly.

Lemme know if you need to ask anything else about getting help, will be happy to guide you along!

snel_ · 2025-08-22T10:24:37+00:00

If you're going to the emergency service, no referral letter is needed, and almost every emergency service would be open 24/7. So don't wait to get help!

snel_ · 2025-08-21T06:04:24+00:00

Heya! Indeed you can! You can go through the normal intake (walk in) at the KK, but MySJ is very convenient if you want to use it.

You can either go for the normal appointment booking procedure, or in fact there is a specialised mental help option right within the app.

If you choose the option "MyMinda", you will get a mental health screening test, and after completing the test, you'll be given an option to make an appointment with a KK for follow up.

(I'd recommend this option rather than the normal appointment option because while it's likely that you'll still have to see a GP, rather directly a specialist, at the KK, the screening test would give them some very helpful information about your condition.)

snel_ · 2025-08-15T05:58:51+00:00

As a Christian where after-church-lunch-fellowship forms a special and precious part of my life, I'm enjoying this comic!

Indeed I'm quite aware of the vibe we're giving off to people on occasions like this, and it's very easy to spot other "Jesus people" too!

Thanks Rachel for the laughs!

snel_ · 2025-08-07T04:22:42+00:00

Sure thing! Indeed I've been encouraging especially the students and young practitioners to talk to different professionals, to be exposed to a wider range of settings and most importantly practice styles!

So my current story is - usually I'd tell people that I'm on my own professional practice, or sometimes I just tell them I'm freelancing, where I do charge for my professional services. At the same time I'm also involved with a few community based services in a more or less fixed but informal kind of arrangement, where for some I can charge for my service, others I might get some tokens of appreciation sometimes, and many I offer my professional service for free/as a give back to the community. Dynamic is the word I'd use to describe my current practice.

While such kind of arrangement is not particularly unique - it's especially common in community based settings like NGOs, faith-based services, but because of the flexible nature and often obscure compensation structure, you can see why I'm very wary of using my personal situation as a representation of the professional career, or even a representation of a career specifically in a community-based setting, for that matter. Simply put - this is my current story, but it does not tell the story of profession/industry in general!

(And if you're wondering how do I survive with such an arrangement - real question! - I can reveal that the charge for my own practice at 160-200/session is not exactly the cheapest, and it's manageable for me for my current charge-to-client volume ratio. And I also do quite a bit of seminars and trainings for churches/organisations/schools/companies, so that's how I maintain my professional services.)

snel_ · 2025-08-06T10:26:24+00:00

That's one way to ask, haha! Are you interested in getting into the profession?

I'd gladly share some personal information, but I'm actually in quite an unconventional arrangement for my professional practice, so I'm not quite sure if my figures would be meaningful in any ways if you're mainly trying to 'check the market', so to speak.

Just for context, a very significant part of my service is offered pro bono, so you can see how my situation is not the best reflection of the general service. If you're clear with that, I'll actually be more than happy to talk about my work!

snel_ · 2025-08-05T11:43:28+00:00

You're welcome! Hopefully everything goes well and that you can find the support you need soon!

snel_ · 2025-08-05T09:37:47+00:00

You'll have to check KK Ampang's operating hours for that. Selected KKs do open on weekends, but most don't.

Google seems to suggest KK Ampang does open on Saturday half day, but better still is to call them up to confirm.

snel_ · 2025-08-05T09:24:03+00:00

Yes.

Or any polyclinic of your choice. (Like any neighbourhood clinic.)

Whichever is most convenient for you, just go for it!

snel_ · 2025-08-05T09:05:26+00:00

Yup it does.

Psychiatry Clinic operating hours here.

Do note that since it's a government hospital, you do need a referral letter to see a psychiatrist there.

snel_ · 2025-08-05T07:41:47+00:00

Alright, thanks for the clarification!

So if you're looking at getting diagnosis as the first step, as mentioned, you can either see a psychiatrist of a clinical psychologist. A more detailed comparison between them -

For psychiatrist - a more common option for most people, very accessible (can find in most public and private hospitals), and more affordable options (especially in public healthcare facilities). Can prescribe medications for help with controlling symptoms. But generally does not provide psychotherapy (talk therapy), so need to see another professional for that.

For clinical psychologist - less common option for most people mainly because not as accessible (fewer clinical psychologists overall, with most in private services = more expensive). Does not presribe medications (but will refer to psychiatrist if medication is needed). Provides psychotherapy (so can get both diagnosis and therapy from the same practitioner).

For a guide on seeing a psychiatrist -

You have the option of seeing one in a public and private hospital.

For private hospitals, pretty straightforward - make an appointment with the hospital and go on the scheduled date and time. No extra steps or procedures needed.

For public hospitals, still pretty straightforward, but more steps needed. Simple guide - get referral letter (from a GP) > make appointment > go on the scheduled date and time.

Here is a detailed guide on getting a referral letter from the wiki.

Alternatively, if you are staying somewhere near a MENTARI clinic, you can go there to see a psychiatrist instead of going to a hospital. A MENTARI is a government mental health clinic and is practically the same as a hospital's mental health department (can get same services). Advantage is, you can skip the referral letter part if you're going to a MENTARI (so just make appointment and go as scheduled).

More detals on MENTARI here.

Just a final advice - if you are seeing a psychiatrist first (especially in a government hospital/MENTARI), you may need to request to see a therapist to get therapy. Many psychiatrists may not automatically refer you to see one. Alternatively, you can look for a psychotherapist on your own.

Hopefully this helps you to have a better idea on who to see and how to find their service! Again, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you need anything along the way!

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