KUALA LUMPUR – Suicide tendencies among Malaysian youth have increased in recent years, according to a study by the Health Ministry.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey: Adolescent Health Survey 2022 showed that about 12% of youths have had suicidal thoughts, while 10% have attempted to take their lives. This is an increase of 3% from the ministry’s previous survey in 2017.
The survey, which is the third edition by the ministry, sampled secondary school students aged between 13 and 17 years old.
The tendencies were followed by further results showing that one in four adolescents feels depressed – an illness reportedly more common among female teens.
On the flip side, 81.7% of the respondents believed their parents respected their privacy, while only 33.4% were aware of their pastime activities, 24% understood their problems, and 9.9% checked their homework.
Adolescents’ mental health could be linked with violence among peers, as 14.8% have been physically attacked and 16% were involved in physical altercations. Both occurrences are more prevalent among male youth.
Domestically, 7.5% experienced physical abuse, while 41% experienced verbal abuse. Female respondents reportedly faced more of the aforementioned domestic abuse.
The report also noted that 8.6% of adolescents have been victims of bullying, which is most prevalent among Form 1 students.
This includes being ridiculed for one’s race and physical appearance, being a victim of sexual jokes, and being left out during activities.
This is paired with statistics showing that about 20% of adolescents have taken part in cyberbullying. Posting rude comments and spreading rumours were listed as the most common forms of virtual bullying.
Meanwhile, the study found that over 154,000 adolescents have participated in sexual intercourse, and 33% of them were under 14 years old when they had their first encounter.
A whopping 75% of respondents reportedly participated in sexual intercourse shortly before the survey was conducted. 88% of them used neither condoms nor any birth control products during their intercourse.
Substance use, physical health
The study also showed that about 106,000 adolescents in the nation have dabbled in drugs at least once, and over half of that number is currently still using narcotics. Most had their first experience before turning 14.
One in five respondents reported having tried alcohol, and 7% of them were classified as “current drinkers”, having consumed alcohol within 30 days before the survey.
Similarly, 65% of them had their first alcoholic drink before they reached 14 years old.
Cigarette consumption saw a 7.6% decrease, but the usage of vapes also increased by about 5%, indicating that adolescents mostly shifted their preferences to e-cigarettes.
In terms of physical health, a third of the respondents were reportedly obese, and a majority of them participated in little to no physical activity.
Most adolescents also do not consume sufficient fruits and vegetables, while 30% and 10% often consume carbonated soft drinks and fast food, respectively.
The survey also found an increase in class absences due to toothaches and aversions to smiling due to dental-related matters. Nonetheless, three in five were satisfied with their oral health. – The Vibes, May 27, 2023
