LETTERS: THE 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) found that 424,000 children struggled with mental health problems. The 2022 NHMS found that one in four teenagers had experienced feelings of depression and one in 10 had tried ending their lives.
Considering the fact that children and teenagers are our future, these findings are worrying.
In-depth studies should be done on this matter. With empirical data, we will be better able to design solutions.
I welcome Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa's announcement on initiatives by the Health Ministry, Education Ministry and other agencies to address the mental health of children and teenagers.
The Covid-19 pandemic was a difficult period for many people. We grappled with isolation and our usual social connections were disrupted. This happened to children and teenagers, too, especially when they were unable to physically play and grow with their peers.
It is a challenge to transition to the post-pandemic period as children and teenagers need to make big adjustments.
Good mental health practices need to be instilled at a young age. It is high time mental health literacy was incorporated into the education system.
Children need to be exposed to the basics of good mental health practices.
Skills such as problem-solving and stress management will enhance a child's mental health. When they are mental-health literate, they will be more open to reaching out for help.
They must be able to get help with ease. Therefore, it is important to ensure that we have enough counsellors in primary and secondary schools. I hope the Education Ministry can collaborate with tertiary institutions so that trainee counsellors can do their practicum and internship in schools.
Teachers should also be equipped with basic mental health knowledge, such as the ability to recognise students who are struggling mentally and the skills to provide emotional support.
Peer Supporters, or Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya, should be set up in every school as some children feel more comfortable opening up to their peers. Peer supporters can be a crucial link between struggling students and the help they need.
From the same 2022 NHMS, only 24.2 per cent of teenagers felt their parents could understand their problems and worries. So, where do they turn to for support when they are emotionally troubled?
Children should have a safe space to talk about their feelings without the fear of being judged.
Parents need to have an awareness of mental health as they play an important role in helping to develop their children's mental wellbeing.
Have frequent conversations about their feelings and validate them instead of reprimanding them. I have encountered situations where a child was not allowed to seek professional help as the parents felt ashamed, or did not believe in mental health.
I hope that the "Mental Health Belongs to All, Stop the Stigma" campaign will include parents as one of its target audiences.
Parents and educators need to promote the responsible use of social media by children. There are numerous studies that found excessive use of social media is correlated with a higher risk of mental disorders. Excessive use can lead to cyberbullying, neglect of responsibilities and feelings of insecurity.
There is also a safety issue.
While there has been much negativity attached to social media, we need to also acknowledge the many advantages.
It is imperative that parents find a balance so that they can reap the benefits of using social media. They can spend time exploring social media together with their children, which could also strengthen the family bond.
Using a screen time limiting application can be helpful, too.
Mental health is everyone's responsibility, and it does not only matter in October, but it should be our emphasis on a day-to-day basis. Let's work together for the betterment of our children's mental health.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Member of Mental Health Advisory Council
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times