Here Are 6 Emotional Support Helplines In Malaysia For Children & Teens In Distress
Know that help is just a phone call away.
By Tiffany Tay
Social and emotional issues that children face can evolve into serious mental health problems if left unaddressed
Unlike adults who have friends, colleagues, counsellors, and peer support groups, children have limited options of people to talk to when they're in distress.
That being said, dedicated child hotlines provide children and teens with the freedom to ask for help themselves, and to express their concerns if they don't have anyone to reach out to.
1. Buddy Bear Childline
Buddy Bear is currently the only teletherapy service in Malaysia that's dedicated to children and teens who are experiencing emotional distress and crises. Launched by social enterprise HumanKind, they provide a safe space for kids to share their worries and problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their team consists of volunteers from different backgrounds who are trained to work with children, utilising Psychological First Aid (PFA) to provide psychosocial support to children via a helpline. Their volunteers can converse in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, and Tamil, so anyone can reach out to them for support.
Hotline:
1-800-18-BEAR (1-800-18-2327)
Email:
[email protected]
Operating hours:
12pm - 12am (Daily)
2. Protect and Save The Children (PS The Children)
PS the Children encourages children experiencing sexual abuse and exploitation to speak up, be heard, and receive help. To build safer communities and protect children's rights, they organise frequent educational programmes, campaigns, forums, and conferences for the general public.
Importantly, they provide prevention, intervention, and treatment services to children and families suffering from sexual abuse. They foster an environment of trust whereby children can freely voice out their experiences without fear of judgement or punishment.
Hotline:
+6016-7213065 (Call, SMS, or WhatsApp)
Email:
[email protected]
Operating hours:
8.30am - 5.30pm (Monday to Friday)
Visit their website and Facebook for more information.
3. Women's Aid Organisation (WAO)
Since 1982, WAO has been providing free crisis support and shelter to women and children facing abuse. In 2014, they started their WhatsApp hotline TINA, which stands for ‘Think I Need Aid’.
Currently, they offer confidential services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, and other forms of violence. They also have scheduled face-to-face consultations, and access to other services like shelter and social work.
Hotline:
+603-79563488 (Call)
+6018-9888058 (SMS or WhatsApp TINA)
Email:
[email protected]
Operating hours:
24 hours (Daily)
4. Befrienders Kuala Lumpur
Befrienders is one of the main suicide support hotlines in Malaysia that offers emotional support to people who are in distress, in despair, or struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Every conversation is treated as strictly confidential, and your identity will remain anonymous, so you can openly share your thoughts and worries without any fear. Callers can also schedule an appointment for a face-to-face consultation.
Hotline:
+603-7627 2929
Email:
[email protected]
Operating hours:
24 hours (Daily)
Visit their website, Facebook, and Instagram for more information.
5. Talian Kasih 15999
The Talian Kasih hotline is a Malaysian domestic abuse helpline set up by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to provide professional psychological support to those affected by the MCO.
Any calls received that concern domestic violence and child abuse issues will be taken seriously, with immediate police action against the perpetrators in accordance with the Child Act 2001 and Domestic Violence Act 1994.
15999 (Call)
+6019-2615999 (SMS or WhatsApp)
Operating hours:
24 hours (Daily)
Visit their website, Facebook, and Instagram for more information.
6. Women's Centre for Change (WCC Penang)
WCC Penang helps women and children who are suffering from domestic violence, marital and relationship problems, abuse, rape, or sexual assault.
All cases are free and treated as confidential, and they also provide face-to-face and email counselling, temporary shelter, victim support and training, as well as legal advice.
Hotline:
WCC Penang
+604-228 0342 (Call)
+6011-31084001 (SMS or WhatsApp)
WCC Seberang Perai
+604-3988340 (Call)
+6016-4390698 (SMS or WhatsApp)
Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Operating hours:
9am – 5pm (Monday to Friday)
Visit their website, Facebook, and Instagram for more information.
Often, victims of child abuse may not have access to phones and could be unable to reach out for help or lodge a complaint against their abusers
If you suspect or have witnessed domestic violence or child abuse, please contact the authorities to take action against the perpetrators.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Do not hesitate to reach out if you are experiencing loneliness, distress, or negative thoughts.
For a more thorough directory of resources, head over to the Malaysian Mental Health Association's website.
