Parent-School Collaboration Needed to Address Mental Health Issues

The rise in violent incidents at schools, including cases of students injuring or killing their peers, has raised concerns over the mental health of adolescents. Such incidents, previously more widely reported abroad, are now occurring in Malaysia as well, prompting questions about the factors that drive students to act beyond control.

A Medical Lecturer and Consultant Psychiatrist at the School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Associate Professor Dr. Maruzairi Husain, said there has indeed been an increase in mental health problems among adolescents.

This is evidenced by the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), which showed that the rate of depression among adolescents more than doubled from 7.9 percent in 2019 to 16.5 percent in 2023.

“Schools today are also becoming more crowded with increasing student numbers, making it difficult for teachers to identify students at risk of mental health problems.

“The growing workload of teachers also limits opportunities to build close relationships with students.

“This lack of meaningful interaction makes it harder for teachers to detect early those students who need psychological support or assistance.

“At the same time, schools that place less emphasis on the psychological well-being of their community, have weak teacher-student relationships, and fail to implement early interventions are at higher risk of facing aggressive behaviour incidents among students,” he said.

He added that aggressive actions by students, to the point of injuring teachers or schoolmates, typically stem from a combination of several factors.

These include poor emotional regulation, causing students to act impulsively without considering the consequences of their actions.

“In this regard, a lack of conflict resolution or problem-solving skills makes a person more likely to respond to stress or disputes through force rather than using more rational and controlled approaches,” he said.

He said that mental health and developmental issues can also contribute to aggressive behaviour.

“There are individuals who may be experiencing psychosis, depression, anxiety, or developmental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism that have not been identified or have not received appropriate treatment.

“However, not all individuals with these conditions become violent,” he said.

He explained that excessive exposure to violent content on social media or video games can also lead adolescents to imitate such behaviour in real life.

He added that social media offers various benefits as a platform for learning, social support, and information sharing.

“However, excessive or uncontrolled use can expose students to unhealthy social comparisons, thereby creating pressure to meet societal expectations.

“In addition, cyberbullying and exposure to negative content can affect self-esteem, increase anxiety levels, and disrupt the emotional well-being of adolescents,” he said.

He added that early intervention to prevent violent incidents among students must be implemented comprehensively both at home and at school, as adolescents spend a significant portion of their time in both environments.

Meanwhile, a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Human Development, Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), Associate Professor Dr. Siti Rahaimah Ali, said students’ mental health problems not only affect the individuals themselves but also impact the entire school community by creating an unsafe environment and disrupting the teaching and learning process.

She said students who experience prolonged emotional disturbances are at risk of losing focus, declining academic achievement, truancy, and involvement in disciplinary issues.

“To address this, schools need to prioritise early detection and intervention, not just punitive approaches.

“Therefore, the Guidance and Counselling Unit must be strengthened as the frontline in identifying students who need help, while high-risk cases should be referred immediately to clinical psychologists or psychiatrists.

“In addition, regular mental health screenings and active parental involvement through Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) should be enhanced to improve mental health literacy and parenting skills,” she said.

She stressed that all stakeholders must take heed of violent incidents in schools because mental health is not a secondary issue, but rather a crucial element in quality education and the development of sustainable human capital.

“A safe and supportive school environment can be achieved through close cooperation between schools, families, communities, the Ministry of Education Malaysia, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, and society as a whole.

“If we succeed in nurturing a generation that is emotionally resilient, morally upright, and capable of facing life’s challenges wisely, with compassion and hope, through evidence-based early intervention supported by strong family institutions and positive spiritual values, the impact on the nation’s future will undoubtedly be immense.

“Most importantly, the country must produce students who are not only academically excellent but also mentally healthy, possess commendable character, are emotionally resilient, and have high human values,” she said.

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