26/08/2025
One day, my front desk staff told me about a young man, around 20 years old, who had walked into our center. He said he had been lingering outside for a long time, hesitating, before finally gathering the courage to push the door open.
While filling in the form, he caught a glimpse of our price list. His hand holding the pen suddenly froze. He looked up and softly said to the receptionist:
“My savings… I think they’re only enough for one or two sessions with a psychologist.”
When I heard the story from the receptionist, my heart sank.
As a psychologist, I knew he truly needed support.
But as someone running a center, I also knew rent, salaries, and admin costs could not simply be ignored.
Even though I really wanted to say, “It’s okay, I’ll see you for free,” I knew deep down this wasn’t a sustainable solution.
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Reflection and Exploration
Since then, I kept thinking: Is there a way to reduce the burden for people seeking psychological help?
In Sabah—what many call a “desert” of mental health—the number of registered psychologists in government hospitals can be counted on one hand, yet they must serve the entire state population. You can imagine how long one would need to wait to see a psychologist.
I realized that if affordable sessions were to be possible, we needed to start training the next generation of psychologists.
In clinical psychology training, there is a full year of internship. Interns are required to accumulate 1,200 hours of hands-on experience before becoming fully qualified clinical psychologists.
So, I decided to take up the role of supervisor. Under professional supervision, these interns can conduct real therapy sessions. And these sessions can then become the “more affordable” ones.
For interns, this is a precious learning opportunity.
For clients, it is psychological support at a lighter financial cost.
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The Power of Resource Integration
At the same time, I have also been actively collaborating with Luyang Community Center 路阳社区中心and YB Phoong Jin Zhe（冯晋哲）
Because relying on one private center alone is limited. But when resources are integrated, more people can benefit.
Over time, we have worked with Luyang Community Center to host free mental health talks, and even provided one-on-one psychological screenings.
This time, I am especially grateful for the support of YB Phoong Jin Zhe. Ever since the tragic case of young Zara, he has expressed his wish to contribute more concretely to mental health causes.
Through such collaboration, private centers won’t be drained of resources, while government funding can be channeled more effectively to communities that truly need help.
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Mental Health Should Not Be a Luxury
I have always believed that mental health should not be a “luxury.”
At some point in life, everyone needs a safe space where they can lay down the weight in their heart.
Therefore, with funding support from YB Phoong Jin Zhe, our center will be opening 20 slots, each providing 5 free therapy sessions (FACE-to-FACE only).
To ensure these resources truly go to those who need them most, a few conditions have been set:
(a) Household income below RM5000
(b) Malaysian citizens residing in Sabah
(c) Those under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian
(d) Commitment to completing all 5 sessions
This is my small attempt—a step I hope will contribute to the mental well-being of people in Sabah.
I want psychological support to no longer be a privilege for the few, but something everyone can safely reach for.
If you or someone you know meets the criteria, feel free to contact us via WhatsApp at 01133116211.
And if you share this vision, perhaps we can walk side by side, planting seeds of mental health across more corners of Sabah.
26/08/25
Chong Tin Fung
Clinical Psychologist
MY Psychology KK
