Social pressures cause mental issues among youths

Health Ministry reports a surge in stress, anxiety and depression among youths, with over 922,000 children and teens affected nationwide.

PETALING JAYA: Social pressures such as bullying, risky behaviour, substance abuse, low self-esteem and high personal expectations are driving a surge in stress, anxiety and depression among youths, according to the Health Ministry.

In a written reply to Parliament, its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasised that addressing youth mental health requires a whole-of-government approach, alongside engagement with NGOs to ensure comprehensive and coordinated support.

He added that recent findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 show that mental health issues among those aged five to 15 have more than doubled over the past four years, affecting over 922,000 children and teens nationwide.

“The prevalence of mental health problems among individuals aged 16 and above has nearly doubled compared with 2019, with an estimated one million people experiencing depression.

“Children and adolescents are not exempted from this trend. The NHMS also reported that mental health problems among children and adolescents (aged five to 15) increased from 424,000 in 2019 to 922,318 in 2023,” he said.

Dzulkefly was responding to Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah), who requested the ministry to outline its strategies to improve youth access to mental health services amid rising stress, anxiety and other mental health issues.

He also said the ministry has introduced a series of initiatives.

“Among the key measures are the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health to lead coordination of programmes and the Heal 15555 crisis hotline for immediate emotional support.

Dzulkefly said the ministry has stepped up collaboration with the Youth and Sports Ministry, Higher Education Ministry and the Education Ministry through advocacy programmes in schools and universities, mental health screenings and youth-focused educational materials.

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