HISTORY OF BEFRIENDERS MALAYSIA

• In 1970, a group of pioneer Malaysians was concerned about the emotional wellbeing of the community after the occurrence of communal riots on 13 May 1969.
• With the assistance of professional psychiatrists and psychologists from University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, The Befrienders Kuala Lumpur  established.
• The Befrienders is a non-profit organisation modeled after Samaritans, a movement started in London in 1953 by Dr Chad Varah. Since then, the movement has spread around the world under the umbrella body called Befrienders Worldwide.
• Today, Befrienders Worldwide has an impact on suicide and suicidal behaviour through a network of 169 independent emotional support centres in 29 countries.  These centres provide an open space for those in distress to talk and be heard.