MENTAL health issues recorded a two-fold increase among children and adolescents aged between 5 and 15 last year, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), he told Dewan Rakyat that mental health issues in that age category increased from 7.9% (424,000 individuals) in 2019 to 16.5% (922,318 individuals) last year.
He said this in a parliamentary written reply to Dato’ Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjung Karang-PN).
Zulkafperi had asked about the latest data on mental health cases among children and adolescents in the country, as well as plans to address the issue.
“The responsibility to address mental health issues among children and adolescents should be collectively shared by various parties.
“The ministry is also addressing the issue through inter-agency cooperation and integrated efforts, particularly to ensure good mental health among children,” Dzulkefly said.
He added that the ministry was developing a Children and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) action plan that focuses on promoting, preventing, and providing mental health care for them.
“This includes educational activities, empowering parents, peers and local community leaders, as well as expanding mental health services targeting children and adolescents through digital platforms.
“The ministry also strives to increase the number of child and adolescent psychiatrist specialists to 30 by 2027 as there are currently only 18 in the ministry’s hospitals,” he said. – July 2, 2024.
