The Local Social Support Centre has assisted over 156,000 vulnerable individuals since 2021, with the minister highlighting its critical role in providing stigma-free mental health support.

KUCHING: A total of 156,033 cases involving vulnerable groups have been successfully resolved through Local Social Support Centre (PSSS) services from October 2021 until last December.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the need for such services has reached a critical level. She emphasised their role in providing mental health support, counselling and early intervention without stigma.

“That is why we are promoting PSSS so that it becomes an information platform for those who feel distressed,” she told reporters. “People today refer to this as mental pressure, and we do not want more individuals to be affected by such issues.”

She made these comments when met at a Ramadan programme here, following a tragic incident in Kuantan where five family members were found dead. Pahang police believe a 32-year-old man injured his wife, mother and two children before injuring himself.

Nancy stressed that community awareness is crucial in addressing mental distress. She said neighbours share a responsibility to notice warning signs among those living nearby.

“Local residents can play an important role by offering advice or channelling information to the relevant authorities,” she said.

The minister also revealed that at least seven cases involving the deaths of mothers, wives and children have been recorded nationwide since January. She noted that unemployment pressure on husbands could be a contributing factor in such family-related tragedies.

Nancy added that three PSSS outreach programmes have been implemented in Kuching so far this year.

 The Sun Malaysia