The Youth and Sports Ministry launches Dengar Rakan Muda to provide free emotional and social support for youths from November 1.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) today launched the Dengar Rakan Muda project to provide a safe space for youths to access free emotional and social support beginning November 1.
This project is implemented through the National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN) in collaboration with UEM Sunrise Berhad, which provided the venue at Publika Shopping Gallery.
HELP University and The Befrienders Kuala Lumpur will deploy trained volunteers to support the initiative.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the programme was an initiative under the Rakan Prihatin lifestyle held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day 2025.
She stated that mental health has become one of the biggest social challenges facing Malaysian youths.
“The Dengar Rakan Muda Project was created to provide a safe space where youths can come to share and be heard without judgment, stigma, or prejudice,” she said after launching the project at Publika Shopping Gallery.
Hannah said one objective is to provide a platform for mental and emotional health support for youths.
She added that it aims to raise awareness that mental health is equally as important as physical health.
The project also seeks to reduce stigma and encourage youths to be more confident in seeking professional help.
It aims to empower youths to become agents of change in their own communities.
Hannah said KBS would strive to expand the implementation of the project nationwide through JBSN.
She explained that a shopping mall was chosen as the venue because it is more youth-friendly and easily accessible.
“If this programme were held at a hospital, they might feel shy or afraid to come,” she said.
Youths can come just to talk, and if necessary, they will be referred to relevant agencies such as the Social Welfare Department and the Health Ministry.
The programme will be held on the first Saturday of every month from 10 am to 2 pm beginning November 1. – Bernama
