QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026
Social Impact Health and WellbeingIndicator
HW2.4 – Mental Health Support for Staff and Students
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is dedicated to fostering a mentally healthy and supportive environment by providing comprehensive mental health support services for both students and staff. Understanding the challenges of academic, professional, and personal life, UKM offers counseling services, mental health assessments, therapy sessions, and wellness programs to promote emotional well-being and resilience.
With a team of trained mental health professionals, UKM ensures accessible and confidential support, helping individuals manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Through workshops, awareness campaigns, and peer support initiatives, UKM strives to create a compassionate and stigma-free community, empowering both students and staff to prioritize their mental well-being.
Table HW2.4.1: Summary of the access to mental health support for both staff and students
| No | Access to mental health support for both staff and students |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mental Wellness Clinic at PKU UKM |
| 2 | Counseling Services under HEP-UKM a) Counselor Tour Program |
| 3 | Catharsis Room: Counseling Unit a) Catharsis Carnival |
| 4 | HaloKaunselor (Hello Counselor) |
| 5 | UKM Mental Health Taskforce |
| 6 | Health Psychology Clinic by Faculty of Health Sciences |
| 7 | PsiTra Psychology & Consultation Clinic (PKPK) – Comprehensive Psychological & Counseling Services |
| 8 | Digital Profiling System of Psychological Health of UKM Staff |
| 9 | Rakan Pembimbing Perkhidmatan Awam (AKRAB) |
| 10 | Self-Love Kit: Mental Health Self-Screening Kit |
| 11 | Guideline for Student Crisis Intervention |
1. Mental Wellness Clinic at University Health Centre (PKU) UKM
Link: https://www.ukm.my/pusatkesihatan/klinik-minda-sejahtera/
One of the services offered at the UKM Bangi University Health Centre (PKU) is the wellness mind clinic. Students and staff can get help by meeting with medical officers for various situations and conditions, chronic or spontaneous such as panic, anxiety, depression, or suicidal feelings.
2. Counseling Services Under Centre of Student Affairs (HEP-UKM)
Link: https://www.ukm.my/hepukm/unit-kaunseling-2/
Guidance and psychological counseling services are provided in the form of online and face-to-face methods. They serve students at the Counseling Unit of the UKM Centre of Student Affairs (HEP-UKM). The roles of the Counseling Unit are to provide individual or group counseling services and implement crisis intervention for critical cases involving mental health issues.
The Counseling Unit at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is staffed by certified and highly skilled psychological officers who specialize in providing professional mental health support to students and staff. These licensed counselors and psychologists are trained in various aspects of counseling, psychotherapy, mental health assessment, and emotional well-being, ensuring high-quality and ethical mental health care.
a) Counselor Tour Program
The Counselor Tour Program at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is an initiative designed to increase accessibility to mental health support by bringing counselors directly to students across various faculties and residential colleges. This program aims to bridge the gap between students and mental health professionals, ensuring that support is readily available to those in need.
- On-Site Counseling Sessions – Students can meet with counselors at designated locations across campus without needing prior appointments.
- Mental Health Screenings – Quick assessments to help students understand their emotional well-being and seek further support if necessary.
- Workshops and Talks – Covering topics such as stress management, emotional resilience, and coping strategies.
- Interactive Engagements – Fun activities, quizzes, and discussions to make mental health awareness more approachable and engaging.
The Counselor Tour Program at UKM reflects the university’s commitment to student well-being by making mental health support more accessible, convenient, and approachable. Through this initiative, UKM ensures that every student has the opportunity to receive guidance and support in a way that is both comfortable and effective.
3. Catharsis Room: Counseling Unit
Link: https://www.ukm.my/hepukm/hep-ukm-perkasa-ruang-katarsis/
The Catharsis Room, which means a room for emotional relief, is one of HEP-UKM’s initiatives to help UKM students from the aspect of emotional care and mental health throughout their studies. This space has also been developed in accordance with standards such as the MQA regulations where the provision of soundproof session rooms and also equipped with security alarm bells. The Counseling Unit is always ready to lend a hand to provide services in helping UKM students.
a) Catharsis Carnival
Karnival Katarsis 2024 is a mental health and well-being festival organized by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to promote self-care, emotional resilience, and mental wellness among students and staff. With the theme “Raikan Kesejahteraan Diri & Minda” (Celebrate Self & Mind Wellness), this event serves as a platform to encourage open conversations on mental health while providing interactive and engaging activities that support personal growth and emotional well-being.
Karnival Katarsis 2024 is more than just an event—it’s a movement toward a healthier, more resilient student community at UKM. By celebrating self-care, emotional expression, and psychological well-being, this carnival empowers individuals to prioritize their mental health and embrace a balanced, fulfilling life.
4. HaloKaunselor (Hello Counselor)
Link: https://shorturl.at/0Tg4x
Halokaunselor is an online platform that is designed to provide counseling and psychological support services to students . Halokaunselor (or counseling services) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) typically plays several important roles such as mental health support which they provide counseling for students dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
5. UKM Mental Health Taskforce
Link: https://www.ukm.my/pusatkesihatan/jawatankuasa-kesihatan-mental/
The UKM Mental Health Management Committee was established in late 2020 following approval from the University Management Committee (MJPU) on February 18, 2020. The committee was formed to develop policies and guidelines for comprehensive mental health management at UKM.
Currently chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Suzeren bin Md Jamil, the committee consists of experts in mental health, university administrators, and key stakeholders. The UKM Health Centre, led by Dr. Mohd Azman bin Abas, serves as the permanent secretariat for the committee.
- Develop UKM’s mental health policies.
- Design mental health management strategies for staff and students.
- Coordinate and integrate mental health services across different responsibility centers.
- Analyze mental health management data to improve services.
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Community counseling
- Substance and alcohol abuse behavior
- Suicide behavior
- Spiritual counseling
This initiative ensures a structured approach to mental health care, benefiting both UKM students and staff.
6. Health Psychology Clinic by Faculty of Health Sciences
Link: https://www.ukm.my/fsk/klinik-psikologi-kesihatan-2
The Health Psychology Clinic (KPK-FSK) provides comprehensive psychological assessment and intervention services for the general public while also serving as a teaching and practicum center for postgraduate students in clinical psychology. Over the years, KPK-FSK has established itself as one of the most renowned national reference centers for clinical psychology services in Malaysia. While the clinic primarily focuses on clinical psychology and mental health services, it also offers counseling and psychological consultation services to meet a wide range of psychological needs.
To support its dual role as a public service center and teaching clinic, the facility is well-equipped with two therapy rooms, one group therapy room, three assessment rooms, one consultation room, one sand play therapy room, one playroom, and two observation rooms fitted with CCTV equipment for monitoring and training purposes. The KPK-FSK is managed by a dedicated team of clinical psychologists, registered counselors, and health & industrial-organizational (I/O) psychologists, ensuring professional, friendly, fair, and efficient psychological services for all clients.
All services and treatment are conducted by clinical psychologists, registered counsellors as well as industrial and organizational psychologists. Services and treatments for mental health and emotional difficulties include:
- Psychological Assessment Services for Children & Adults
- Treatment Services for Mental Disorders and Emotional Problems
- Counseling Services
- Psychological Consultation
7. PsiTra Psychology & Consultation Clinic (PKPK) – Comprehensive Psychological & Counseling Services
Link: https://www.ukm.my/ppppm/pkpkukm/
The PsiTra (Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being) Psychology & Consultation Clinic (PKPK) is one of the unique services offered at PsiTra, providing psychological and counseling support to the UKM community (students/staff) and the general public. Currently, the clinic operates with eight dedicated rooms, including five individual counseling rooms, two group counseling rooms, and one consultation room.
PKPK offers psychological and counseling services covering a wide range of personal and emotional challenges, such as Anxiety issues,Interpersonal relationship problems, Low self-confidence, Lack of motivation, Family conflicts, Learning difficulties, Depression and more.
The clinic’s psychological and counseling services are currently provided by PsiTra lecturers, who are experts in various psychology fields, including Counseling, Industrial & Organizational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Social Work. Counseling services, for instance, are delivered by certified counseling lecturers who hold practice certifications in accordance with the Counselor Act 1998.
With its professional team and well-equipped facilities, PKPK ensures high-quality mental health support for individuals seeking psychological guidance and counseling.
8. Digital Profiling System of Psychological Health of UKM Staff
Link: https://mypsyd.jpa.gov.my/#/login
UKM permanent staff members or public service officers undergone a mandatory screening for psychological health on a website, MyPsyD. It is a digital profiling system to measure the level of psychological health of public service officers who are under permanent employment (staff under contract, temporary or probation employment are excluded). The screening was conducted online from 15 May, 2024 to 31 August, 2024.
A total of 3991 out of 4779 (87%) PERMANENT staff members completed the MyPsyD screening on the online platform. All individuals with alarming psychological health results were then scheduled for a follow-up counselling session with UKM counselors. This screening includes, but is not limited to, aspects of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
9. Rakan Pembimbing Perkhidmatan Awam (AKRAB)
Rakan Pembimbing Perkhidmatan Awam (AKRAB) is a peer counseling and support group within the Malaysian public service sector. Rakan Pembimbing Perkhidmatan Awam (AKRAB) are officers appointed to carry out the roles outlined in the self-empowerment program under Service Circular Number 18 of 2005, which focuses on the Application of Psychology in Human Resource Management through the peer counseling program.
AKRAB is based on the concept of peer support, fostering teamwork, close relationships, and the development of individual potential. It also serves as a support group that emphasizes humanistic relationships. The strength of a group like AKRAB largely depends on the commitment and expertise contributed by its members.
Therefore, the establishment of AKRAB within an organization is expected to create a workforce that is highly committed and has a strong sense of belonging and loyalty toward the organization.Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) actively supports the Rakan Pembimbing Perkhidmatan Awam (AKRAB) initiative, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. As an institution dedicated to academic and professional excellence, UKM integrates the AKRAB program to enhance peer counseling, teamwork, and psychological well-being among its staff.
10. Self-Love Kit: Mental Health Self-Screening Kit
Link: https://www.ukm.my/hepukm/kit-sayangi-diri/
Self-Love Kit is an initiative by Student Affairs Counselling Unit online for students’ easy access whenever they need it. The kit covers a range of aspects including stress management, de-stressing tips, emotion checklists, self-care checklists, and self-assess mental health screening.
Depression, anxiety and stress screening tools are provided in the kit, among others. It is self-administered and students can use the screening results to identify their own state of mind, acknowledge the issue and bring it to the attention of the counselors, doctors, and others.
The Self-Love also provides information on other screening tools available at the Counselling Unit and answers to frequently asked questions about the unit in order to introduce and familiarise students with it.
11. Guideline for Student Crisis Intervention
Link: https://www.ukm.my/hepukm/pelan-pengurusan-krisis-pelajar-ukm/
This guideline covers a range of crises, with different SOP for each type of crisis. For mental health crisis, there are two SOPs:
- Intervention for cases in need of counselling
- Intervention for acute emergency cases in need of immediate attention
According to the Student Crisis Management Plan, page 18 discusses the steps and flowchart for addressing student mental health issues. This section highlights the support procedures and intervention strategies to assist students facing mental health challenges.