Children’s mental health problems are increasing, said the minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Mental health problems among children and teenagers aged 5 to 15 have increased to 16.5 percent or 922,318 last year from 7.9 percent or 424,000 in 2019.

Berita Harian reported, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said it was based on the National Morbidity Health Survey (NHMS) by the Ministry of Health (KKM).

“This is a two-fold increase,” he said in a written response to Datuk Dr Zulkaferi Hanapi’s (Independent – Tanjung Karang) question about the MOH’s data and action plan to deal with mental health issues among children and teenagers.

To deal with the very worrying issue, Dr Dzulkefly said, his side has implemented the School Healthy Mind Program which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education (KPM) which is implemented in 2,456 secondary schools and 7,776 primary schools.

“(In addition) the Ministry of Health also provides mental health services that can be accessed at 1,088 Health Clinics, 63 hospitals, and 37 Community Mental Health Centers (MENTARI).

“(Also implemented) the expansion of mental health services and psychosocial support through the deployment of 200 Contract For Service (CFS) Psychological (Counseling) Officers in the district and Health Clinics,” he said.

He said, the Ministry of Health is also working to increase the number of child and adolescent psychiatrists to 30 by 2027, compared to the 18 specialists in the Ministry of Health hospitals so far.

“In line with the ‘Civilized Malaysia Concept’, the responsibility of dealing with mental problems among teenage children must be shouldered jointly.

“MoH will continue to commit to addressing the issue of children’s mental health through cross-agency collaboration and concerted efforts, especially to ensure good mental health among children in particular,” he said.