Calls To Befrienders Will Be Free-Of-Charge Starting 1 August
Eight telcos will waive its charges.
By Tamara Jayne — 25 Jul 2019, 12:15 PM
Beginning 1 August, calls made to the Befrienders hotline will be free
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced the move in a statement yesterday, 24 July.
It will be working together with eight telecommunication companies to waive the charges.
You will be able to make free calls to Befrienders from the following eight telcos:
2. Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd,
3. Maxis Berhad,
4. Telekom Malaysia Berhad,
5. TIME dotcom Berhad,
6. U Mobile Sdn Bhd,
7. Webe Digital Sdn Bhd, and
8. YTL Communications Sdn Bhd.
A recent survey revealed that 24% of Malaysians have experienced suicidal thoughts
The report added that a quarter of Malaysians have engaged in self-harm and one out of 10 Malaysians have experienced mental health issues at some point in their lives.
Some of the reasons people do not seek mental health treatment is because they are unsure of where to get it from, how much it would cost, and the social stigma surrounding it.
"Among the key steps that need to be taken to eliminate the stigma in the community against mental illness and suicidal symptoms [is] through assistance such as enabling access to Befrienders, which is now free for those who need advice, counselling and emotional support," said MCMC chairman Al-Ishsal Ishak, according to New Straits Times.
Befrienders is a non-profit organisation that provides emotional support 24 hours a day to those who are in distress, feeling lonely, or battling with suicidal thoughts
Each call is kept strictly confidential and callers can remain anonymous if they prefer.
You can contact Befrienders through these numbers: 03-79568144 or 03-79568145, or 04-281 5161/1108 (Penang), 05-547 7933/7955 (Ipoh), or email [email protected]
You can also learn more about them here.
