How Budget 2026 Should Address Mental Health Needs

Cindy Chew, Head of Community Development, Thrive Well | Associate Professor Dr Amer Siddiq bin Amer Nordin, Consultant Psychiatrist, University Malaya Medical Centre

06-Oct-25 16:00

How Budget 2026 Should Address Mental Health Needs

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Mental health is one of the most urgent public health issues in our population, yet often the funding for mental health services falls far behind compared to other health issues. Ahead of the tabling of Budget 2026, we take a look at the gaps in mental health care and access that need to be addressed, and how much that can be plugged with more funding, with Cindy Chew, Head of Community Development at Thrive Well and Assoc prof Dr Amer Siddiq bin Amer Nordin, consultant psychiatrist at University Malaya Medical Centre.

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Produced by: Lim Sue Ann

Presented by: Lim Sue Ann

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Categories: health policy

Tags: the bigger picture, health & living, budget 2026, Belanjawan 2026, Budget-2026-Mahsing, mental health, social determinants of health, poverty, health equity, healthcare access, Budget2026,

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