Relate Malaysia

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Relate Malaysia

Our mission is to make sure every Malaysian enjoys good mental health as a fundamental human right. Unfortunately, their fears were often proven to be true.
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Relate Malaysia was founded by Dr. Chua Sook Ning, a clinical psychologist born and bred in DJ in 2016. She started the organization when she realized how little mental health resources there were in Malaysia. There was little information on the mental health status in Malaysia, and the few reports that are available were unpublicized and untalked about. She also noticed that people were embarrassed and scared to talk about their mental health struggles. They were afraid of being stigmatized and discriminated against. People lost jobs and the support of friends and family members when they shared their mental health struggles. The final push to start an organization came when she was told that she should not run a public awareness campaign because people will become too aware of mental health and somehow that would worsen the mental health state in Malaysia. Dr. Chua realized that people are afraid of mental illness because of the lack of knowledge, and that the only way to change the status quo was to speak up. She said: "If we knew that 30% of people contracted the Zika virus in Malaysia, it would make the news. Even if there were not enough medication to treat the symptoms. But when 30% of people suffer a mental health condition, we are silent. How can that be?". With that, she established Relate Therapy, which is now known as Relate Malaysia. As a Clinical Psychologist, her initial focus was on raising public awareness that psychotherapy is an effective evidence-based treatment for mental illness. But from that initial focus, Relate Malaysia expanded its mission to:
1. Raising public awareness on mental health.
2. Developing effective and accessible mental health intervention and prevention programs.
3. Advocating for patients' rights in national and institutional policies. This organization is now supported by medical doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists. But most of all, it hopes to be a voice for patients and their caregivers, dispelling myths about mental illness, decreasing the stigma of mental illness and sharing their stories with the rest of Malaysia. Find out more about Dr. Chua here:
https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Chua-Sook-Ning-1670443749915905/

26/02/2026

A lot of what helps us feel better gets labelled as self-care, which isn't always what's taking place.

Other times, what we’re doing is self-soothing. Both are helpful, and neither is better than the other. The key difference is the purpose and knowing what you’re doing and why.

Self-soothing helps you settle when things feel too much, while self-care is about the choices you make and how they create the kind of life you want to lead.

If starting therapy is part of your self-care plan, make an appointment with us today: https://relate.com.my/relate-therapy-centre/

25/02/2026

Who's in the mood for a throwback post?💫

Our founder, Dr Chua Sook Ning, facilitated a Psychological First Aid (PFA) session with Yayasan Generasi Gemilang on January 22 and 29.

The sessions focused on practical ways to support people experiencing distress, emphasising calm presence, attentive listening, and clear, compassionate responses that can be applied in everyday settings.

Dr. Chua and the team at Relate Malaysia are always grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with organisations committed to strengthening community wellbeing – we look forward to more collaborations in future! 🤝💚

24/02/2026

As we get older and time feels like it speeds up, is there anything we can do about it?

When our days are lived on autopilot, they start to blur together. Paying closer attention to what you’re actually doing, and allowing pauses along the way can change how our time is experienced.

Check out our article on slowing down time to learn more: https://relate.com.my/slow-down-time/

19/02/2026

In our latest ClinPsychJourney chat, clinical psychologist Grace Hu shares how to prepare for the interview to enter a clinical psychology program.

She talks through some of the basics, and reminds us how important they are. If done well, they can mean the difference between having a dream and living the reality of becoming a clinical psychologist.

12/02/2026

We’re often encouraged to treat uncertainty as something to eliminate, as if good mental health means having everything figured out.

But much of life doesn’t work that way. Decisions, relationships, and change all carry some degree of not knowing.

Learning to live with uncertainty means trusting that you can make choices and adjust as life unfolds, instead of waiting for everything to be aligned before you begin.

10/02/2026

Have you ever wondered what causes eating disorders or how they're treated?

These are common questions we've been asked by therapists and members of the public, and here Dr. Chua Sook Ning shares her insights into the complex nature of eating disorders and effective treatment options.

05/02/2026

Many of us spend much of our lives online – especially young people. The question is: Who’s taking responsibility for what happens when we’re online?

In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by children’s rights expert, Dr. Rys Farthing, to get to the heart of rights and responsibilities, and what this means for the safety of young people on social media.

They talk about power, profit, and policy, and what real protection online could involve to ensure healthier relationships with online spaces.

Listen to the full conversation: https://ow.ly/9ONg50Y31K0

27/01/2026

Have you ever wondered what being a trainee in a clinical psychology program is like? Well, wonder no more!

In our second episode of our new series, ClinPsychJourney, Najlaa – one of our awesome clinical psychologists – gives us a breakdown of what to expect from a master's course.

If you're considering applying to train as a clinical psychologist and have any questions on your mind, feel free to message us and we'll be happy to share some helpful insights and tips!

22/01/2026

Starting therapy can stir up a mix of nerves and hope, especially when everything feels unfamiliar.

It’s completely normal to worry about what to say or how much to share, and it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong.

Therapy is a space you grow into at your own pace, one conversation at a time. If you’re taking that first step this year, we’re cheering you on and here for you at every step. 💛🌿✨

To schedule an appointment with us (online or in-person), visit: https://relate.com.my/relate-therapy-centre/

20/01/2026

A fresh year often comes with plans and hopes, and Mental Wellness Month is a good time to notice how we’re really doing 🌱

Many of us forget that everyday habits, small joys and genuine connection shape how we feel, far more than we realise ✨

Check out the our latest article for a look into building mentally healthier habits for a happier year ahead: https://ow.ly/s1p450XMRjQ

06/01/2026

Many of us will be thinking about the year ahead, and so we’re revisiting a throwback episode on how to discover what truly matters to you.

In this episode of Being Human, Dr Chua Sook Ning speaks with Prof Steven C Hayes – creator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – about why goals alone rarely guide our lives in a meaningful direction, and how values give us something steadier to stand on.

In this fascinating discussion, he offers four ways to uncover what we really value and how to act on it with purpose 🎧✨

Listen in full here: https://ow.ly/zuWT50XMRis

31/12/2025

As we welcome 2026, our hope is that this year brings you all the strength to survive and thrive, and the resilience to adapt to whatever challenges come your way.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our work, and to our clients for trusting us with your stories.

From all of us at Relate Malaysia, we wish you a year filled with grounding, growth, and a lot of happiness, purpose, and joy 💛✨

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Kuala Lumpur

Website

http://www.relate.com.my/links/

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