JOHOR BARU: Mental health groups here gave a thumbs up to the Budget 2022 allocation of RM70mil to assist the public with mental health challenges and hope it will be put to good use.

       Befrienders Johor Baru president Danny Loo said he was pleasantly surprised that mental health NGOs were mentioned in this year’s budget speech and hoped that some of the money will be channelled to groups like his.

       “However, there has yet to be any mention of a tax exemption for mental health NGOs, which is something we have been trying to attain for the past 10 years. I hope that the government would look into this and assist us in getting the tax exemption,” Loo said.

       Meanwhile, secretary of the Dr J project, Carter Lee, said that the government’s plan to provide tax relief for individuals spending money on mental health medical fees could encourage more people to get help.

       “Many people are not willing to spend a lot of money on mental health and would normally leave it untreated, which is unhealthy.

       “This tax exemption could help to encourage more people to take mental illness seriously and could also prompt them to get the necessary treatments from professionals,” he added.

       Lee said that the pandemic has shown the importance of taking mental health seriously and getting the right treatment.

       “I hope that the government would continue advocating for mental health awareness, which is still lacking in the country,” he said.

       Dr J is a programme which aims to increase awareness on mental health issues.

       It conducts online talks in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and English.

       The project is run by the Malaysia Community Service Alliance NGO.

       During the tabling on Budget 2022, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated financial problems, domestic abuse and depression, which has become the main reason for mental health issues.

       He added that the allocation of RM70mil will ensure that mental health issues would be prioritised to include counselling, psychosocial and advocacy programmes that empower NGOs to carry out mental health programmes and support services.

       He also said that plans are being made to expand the scope of income tax exemption to include health screening expenses, and consultation costs for clinical psychologists, registered counsellors and psychiatric services.