Addressing Malaysian adolescent mental health woes

Around two in five adolescents experienced verbal abuse at home, with girls being affected more than boys. — StarGraphic

This demonstrates that mental health issues are not necessarily confined to challenges of urban living in the Klang Valley.The survey revealed that 18.5% of teenage girls reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, compared to 7.6% of male adolescents. Cyberbullying is also prevalent, with one in five teenagers experiencing bullying through digital platforms, affecting more males than females.These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support and interventions, particularly for young people and vulnerable communities in Malaysia.Addressing these issues involves promoting a safe psychological environment and implementing targeted mental health programmes and policies.

Telehealth and online mental health services can be developed and promoted to reach those who cannot access traditional in- person services due to geographic or social barriers​. These campaigns should focus on educating the public about the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and the importance of seeking help.

Regular mental health screening in schools and primary care settings should be implemented to identify individuals at risk of mental health issues early, and thus, provide timely interventions. This includes policies that promote mental health, prevent mental illness, and provide care and rehabilitation services, expanding from the usual focus on only curative care.Laws and regulations that protect children and adolescents from abuse and bullying, both offline and online, need to be enforced.In line with international conventions and practices, the government may need to look into the setting up of a Mental Health Commission to help facilitate this.

On the other hand, depression itself can lead to behaviours that worsen our physical condition, such as poor diet, inactivity and neglect of medical treatment.

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