By Yee Suet Mun
Psychiatrists say the most important factor in therapy is the trust between client and practitioner. (Pixabay pic)PETALING JAYA: The use of online mental health tools together with human-led care offers the safest and most effective option for Malaysians who need mental health support, say psychiatrists.While digital tools such as AI chatbots, mental health apps, and tele-counselling are becoming more popular amid a shortage of mental health professionals in Malaysia, a consultant psychiatrist says the tools lack the personalisation needed for more complex cases.Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin of Universiti Malaya said digital platforms have improved access to care, especially in underserved areas.鈥淲e鈥檝e seen promising growth in digital mental health platforms over the past decade,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut services are still not personalised enough, and current technology can鈥檛 fully account for individual complexities.鈥滿alaysian Mental Health Association president Andrew Mohanraj said online platforms help reduce stigma surrounding mental health treatment by offering more privacy thus encouraging people to seek early help.鈥淪ome feel safer reaching out online, which improves the chances of early intervention,鈥 he said.Risks of over-reliance on techHowever, the mental health experts interviewed by FMT said over-reliance on AI or self-diagnosis apps poses significant risks.鈥淭hese platforms can鈥檛 replicate clinical judgment or detect subtle cues like body language, which are essential during psychiatric assessments,鈥 said Mohanraj. 鈥淲orse, it could delay appropriate treatment or lead to misdiagnosis, especially in complex or high-risk cases.鈥滳linical psychologist Puvessha Jegathisan said while tools like AI chatbots are useful for mild conditions or initial support like psychoeducation, mood tracking or symptom checks, they lack the emotional intelligence needed for deeper therapeutic work.鈥淭here鈥檚 no substitute for a trained professional who can understand emotions, context, and cultural differences,鈥 she said.Consultant psychiatrist Dr Subash Kumar Pillai warned against using AI to treat oneself, comparing it to 鈥渓earning to fly from a video game and thinking you鈥檙e ready to fly a plane鈥.While interest in AI-based therapy is growing, Amer said Malaysia isn鈥檛 ready to scale up its use.He pointed to a lack of coordination between public health systems and private tech platforms. He also noted that although smartphone use is high, general health literacy remains low.Puvessha said any expansion of digital therapy must include strong regulations, ethical safeguards, and proper infrastructure, especially in rural areas.Malaysia has long struggled with a shortage of mental-health professionals, with a 2021 FMT report noting that the number of psychiatrists in Malaysia is far below World Health Organization recommendations, with most based in major cities.