Schools should have wellbeing screenings which are confidential and conducted by trained counsellors, not discipline teachers.
Key takeaways
Malaysian students face rising mental health challenges, with one in four aged 13 to 17 suffering from depressive disorders. Parents now prioritize child wellbeing over academic performance, while bullying incidents continue to increase.
- 26.9% of Malaysian students aged 13 to 17 have depressive disorders, and 9.5% have attempted suicide.
- 37% of parents worry more about children's mental health than academic quality or social media.
- Bullying cases rose to 7,681 last year, with 27% of students bullied monthly, exceeding OECD averages.
Summarised automatically by AI from the original article by Free Malaysia Today. AI can make mistakes, so check the original for details.
Last week, during a visit to AIMST University, I met a Form 5 student. He was accompanying his sister to enroll in the university.
When I asked about his ambition, he looked down and said: "Datuk, I am tired."
The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) tells us a painful truth: 26.9% of our students aged 13 to 17 suffer from depressive disorders, while 13.1% have had suicidal thoughts, and 9.5% have attempted suicide.
Let me repeat: One in four is depressed. One in 10 has tried to end his/her life.
