Over 1,000 secondary students in Selangor identified as high risk for depression

A TOTAL of 1,020 secondary school students in Selangor have been identified as showing early signs of being at high risk for depression, the Selangor State Legislative Assembly was told today.

Selangor’s Executive Councillor for Public Health and Environment, Jamaliah Jamaluddin, said the figure represents 2.8 percent of the 36,428 students who took part in the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) mental health screening.

She added that based on the 2024/2025 Mind Screening Data Analysis for Selangor schoolchildren, the rate of psychosocial behavioural issues among students remains under control.

“Intervention programmes will continue and be expanded comprehensively to primary schools, particularly targeting Year 5 and Year 6 pupils,” said Jamaliah.

“The main objective of these mental health interventions is to cultivate early awareness on the importance of mental wellbeing and to build emotional resilience among pupils.”

She explained that the interventions focus on emotional and behavioural development, early preventive activities, and empowerment training for school guidance and counselling teachers through mental health intervention workshops.

Among the general interventions and lifestyle practices currently implemented are relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, physical activity, and basic massage therapy for the neck and shoulders.

Jamaliah was responding to a question from Azmizam Zaman Huri (PH–Pelabuhan Klang), who asked what immediate steps were being taken by the Selangor State Education Department (JPN) to address anxiety and depression among students in the 2024/2025 academic session.

She added that beyond general interventions, JPN Selangor is also implementing specific mental health programmes, including one-on-one counselling sessions, emotional awareness training, stress management techniques such as the ‘10B’ approach, mindfulness exercises, anger control, positive thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving skills.

“These efforts are preventive in nature, aimed at strengthening the mental wellbeing of students from the foundational level, beginning in primary schools,” she said. - July 7, 2025