Kuala lumpur: The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) today launched the Dengar Rakan Muda project, an initiative aimed at providing a safe space for youths to access free emotional and social support beginning Nov 1.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 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, as well as HELP University and The Befrienders Kuala Lumpur that will deploy trained volunteers to support the initiative.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh stated that the programme was an initiative under the Rakan Prihatin lifestyle held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day 2025 to enhance community support for youths. She emphasized that mental health is a significant social challenge facing Malaysian youths today.

'Mental health is no longer a fringe issue. It 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, and where all interactions are kept confidential,' she said after launching the project at Publika Shopping Gallery.

Hannah Yeoh highlighted that one of the objectives of the project is to provide a platform for mental and emotional health support for youths and to raise awareness that mental health is equally as important as physical health. The project also aims to reduce stigma, encourage youths to be more confident in seeking professional help, and empower them to become agents of change in their own communities.

She mentioned that KBS would strive to expand the implementation of the project nationwide through JBSN to provide a safe platform for youths to interact and seek help without fear or stigma. 'If this programme were held at a hospital, they might feel shy or afraid to come. That's why we're holding it at a shopping mall, which is a more youth-friendly and easily accessible location. They can come just to talk, and if necessary, we will refer them to relevant agencies such as the Social Welfare Department and the Health Ministry,' she said.

The programme will be held on the first Saturday of every month, from 10 am to 2 pm at Publika Shopping Gallery, beginning Nov 1.