Student Mental Health in Malaysia: Why Prevention Must Start at Home and in the Classroom

Student mental health in Malaysia is finally getting the national attention it deserves, and I believe it is overdue. My position is simple. Crisis support matters, but prevention has to start much earlier, at the dinner table and in the classroom, long before a young person reaches breaking point.

I’m Jackie Yong. For more than ten years, much of my work as a counselling psychologist has been with adolescents and their families. What we’re seeing in the news this month reflects what many parents, teachers and counsellors have been quietly worried about for some time.

What Has Been Said This Month

On 23 October, RTM reported that Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah had expressed concern over mental health issues among children and teenagers, which the report described as worsening to the point of loss of life. According to the report, Istana Negara held a discussion session to strengthen complaint and counselling systems. It involved the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), the Ministry of Communications, the Royal Malaysia Police and MCMC, with PERKAMA International and registered counsellors also taking part. The focus was on help channels that are easy to access, safe and effective.

Her Majesty decreed that the mental health of children and teenagers must be given priority, and that awareness should be raised so that signs of emotional distress can be identified earlier. In Her Majesty’s words, as reported by RTM: “Kesihatan mental kanak-kanak dan anak remaja kita mesti diberi keutamaan. Mereka perlu tahu bahawa kita menyayangi mereka.” (Our children’s and teenagers’ mental health must be given priority. They need to know that we love them.)

Days earlier, Berita Harian reported a written parliamentary reply from Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. It named the pressure to succeed academically and in careers, relationship problems, social media and financial problems among the main factors affecting young people’s mental health. Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, it said depression prevalence was 7.9 percent among 16- to 19-year-olds, higher than the 4.6 percent for everyone aged 16 and above. The ministry also said it welcomed the proposal for a cross-ministry task force on early intervention.

Then on 25 October, Buletin TV3 reported the minister saying that about 10,000 registered counsellors nationwide could be mobilised through “task shifting”. This means sharing mental health work across trained professionals instead of relying only on psychiatrists.

Why I Say Prevention Must Start Earlier

Earlier this month, UKM education lecturer Dr Anuar Ahmad told Sinar Harian that school counsellors should act early with prevention modules. He observed that the long-standing practice has been to offer counselling after something has already happened. He also stressed the need for stronger relationships between schools and parents.

I agree, and from a clinical point of view I’d add this. Most of the teenagers I’ve worked with did not fall apart overnight. There were usually months of quieter signs first: sleep slipping, marks dropping or becoming an obsession, friends drifting away, more time alone with a phone. Prevention means noticing and responding during that quiet stage.

Four pressures come up again and again in my work:

• Exam pressure. In SPM years especially, a teenager’s sense of worth can shrink down to a results slip.
• Social media. Constant comparison, online conflict and late-night scrolling all take a toll. Social media was one of the factors named in the minister’s parliamentary reply.
• Sleep. Tuition, homework and phones push bedtimes later. Short sleep makes emotions harder to manage for anyone, and teenagers are no exception.
• Parental expectations. Almost always well-meant. But when love starts to feel conditional on grades, young people stop telling us how they really feel.

School Counsellors Are a Strength, If We Give Them Room

Malaysia’s school counsellors are a real asset. They are already in the building, they know the students, and they are often the first adult a struggling teen trusts. The plan to mobilise registered counsellors is encouraging.

But prevention takes time. A counsellor who spends the day on crisis cases, discipline matters and admin has little left for the quieter work: classroom sessions, check-ins with at-risk students, and conversations with parents. If we want prevention, I believe three things are needed:

1. Protected caseloads, so counsellors have time for early, low-key support and not only emergencies.
2. Ongoing training and clinical supervision in adolescent mental health, risk assessment and working with families.
3. Clear referral pathways to psychologists, family doctors and hospital services when a student needs more than school support can offer.

I say this as someone who trains and supervises counsellors. This is not a criticism of anyone. It is a recognition that good people need the right conditions to do good work.

What Parents Can Do This Week

1. Have one conversation that isn’t about marks. Ask, “What’s been the hardest part of school lately?” Then listen without fixing.
2. Protect sleep. Agree on a time for phones to leave the bedroom. Do it with your teen, not to them.
3. Say the quiet part out loud. Tell your child that your love doesn’t depend on their results. Many teens genuinely aren’t sure.
4. Get to know the school counsellor. Don’t wait for a problem or for the yearly PIBG meeting. A short introduction makes it easier to reach out later.
5. Look at the family’s stress, not just the child’s. Sometimes the pressure is coming from the whole household. Family counselling can help everyone talk more openly.

Signs a Teen May Need Professional Help

Consider speaking to a professional if, for more than a couple of weeks, your teenager:

• Seems persistently sad, irritable, hopeless or numb
• Withdraws from friends, family or activities they used to enjoy
• Has big changes in sleep, appetite or energy
• Refuses to go to school, or their school performance changes sharply
• Talks about being a burden, self-harm or not wanting to be alive. This needs urgent help.

These signs don’t mean your child has a particular condition. Only a qualified professional can make an assessment. Our child and adolescent psychologists can meet your teen in English, Bahasa Malaysia or Mandarin. Where needed, a psychological assessment can give a clearer picture. Older teens who prefer to start privately can try our ujian kesihatan mental (mental health self-check).

If there is immediate danger, call 999. For support, contact Talian HEAL 15555 (Ministry of Health) or Befrienders KL at 03-7627 2929.

The Limits of What Any One Group Can Do

To be honest, no single policy, school or parent can carry this alone. Families face real limits of time, money and energy, and many schools are stretched. But the recent statements point in a hopeful direction: earlier detection, safer help channels and more trained hands. If homes, classrooms and professionals each do a little more of the quiet, preventive work, fewer young people will reach crisis point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main causes of mental health problems among Malaysian students?

There’s rarely a single cause. The Health Minister’s recent parliamentary reply named academic and career pressure, relationship problems, social media and financial problems among the main factors for young people. In practice, sleep, family stress and individual vulnerability also play a part.

Is exam stress normal, or is it a mental health problem?

Some stress before exams like SPM is normal and can even help focus. It becomes a concern when it is constant, affects sleep or eating, or leaves a teen feeling hopeless or unable to cope.

Should I go to the school counsellor or a private psychologist?

The school counsellor is often a good first step. If concerns persist, are serious, or the school recommends it, a psychologist can provide a fuller assessment and ongoing support.

My teenager refuses to talk. What should I do?

Keep the door open without pushing. Short chats during car rides or meals often work better than “sit-down talks.” If you’re worried about safety, seek professional help even if your teen is reluctant.

This article is for general education only and does not replace professional assessment, diagnosis or treatment. Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose a mental health condition. If you or your child are in crisis, call 999 or Talian HEAL 15555.

Written & reviewed by Jackie Yong

CEO & Consultant Senior Counselling Psychologist, BeLive in Psychology · View profile