THE number of children in Malaysia facing mental health challenges has surged, with one in six now affected, a figure that has doubled since 2019.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023: Non-Communicable Diseases and Healthcare Demand technical report, reveals that children living in urban areas are more likely to experience mental health problems than their rural counterparts.
Published in 2024 by the Institute for Public Health (IKU), the report found that the most common mental health issues among children were related to peer interactions, followed by conduct and emotional problems. The study also noted that mental health difficulties were more prevalent among females than males.
The survey, which involved 2,400 children aged between five and 15, collected data from their parents or guardians.
Bernama cited Dr. Hilwa Abdullah @ Mohd Nor, a senior lecturer and clinical psychologist at the Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), saying today that the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated these issues.
She explained that the pandemic’s lockdowns significantly impacted children, who are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress due to their limited capacity to regulate their emotions and cope with change.
"Looking back at the pandemic, we experienced drastic lifestyle changes, including movement restrictions and the shift to online activities, including schooling. These children had to navigate the challenges of the digital world," she explained to Bernama.
Dr. Hilwa noted that children, who naturally enjoy physical play and outdoor activities, faced emotional difficulties when confined indoors.
Instead, many turned to online games and social media, which she believes contributed to their emotional fragility and reduced resilience.
"Such limitations prevented them from expressing their emotions, leading to depression and a tendency for self-harm," she added. Dr. Hilwa also pointed out the role of social media in exacerbating mental health issues, exposing children to social comparisons, the fear of missing out (FOMO), and obsessive or compulsive scrolling.
Dr. Intan Farahana Abdul Rani, Deputy Director of Research and Innovation at the National Child Development Research Centre (NCDRC) at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), identified excessive gadget use as a major contributing factor to children's mental health challenges.
She noted that this led to a reduction in social and physical interactions, which, when coupled with a competitive educational environment and high parental expectations, further impacted children’s well-being.
"In addition, an unstable family environment, including parental conflicts, divorce, emotional neglect, and early childhood trauma, such as abuse or accidents, are also contributing factors to mental health issues," Dr. Intan Farahana explained.
"If these factors are not properly addressed, they can have long-lasting effects on a child's emotional and behavioural development."
She emphasised the importance of early detection in addressing these problems, urging parents to be vigilant for any signs of distress in their children.
"Changes in sleeping patterns, a loss of interest in favourite activities, frequent crying, or increased irritability could be early warning signs," she advised.
Dr. Intan Farahana also highlighted that emotional development screenings are available through the National Child Data Centre (NCDC), part of the NCDRC, which collects data on children under the age of four from educators, to help identify and address mental health issues at an early stage. – April 3, 2025
