PETALING JAYA: As over 900,000 Malaysian adolescents faced mental health issues in 2023, experts stress the need to normalise discussions on mental health, as well as to reduce stigma and to improve access to support systems.
Malaysian Mental Health Association president Prof Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj highlighted the growing mental health concerns of university students, which worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Factors such as academic pressure, financial strain, social isolation and uncertain job prospects continue to affect students, he said.
“Even now after the pandemic, the mental health of students at universities continues to be a concern as they worry about their employability and career prospects when the economy of the country is not perceptibly encouraging.
“Many jobs are being made redundant due to the rise of artificial intelligence, as well as the prevalence of remote working and part-time employment,” he said.
Despite existing mental health support in some institutions, the stigma discourages students from seeking help, especially from in-house counsellors.
Many prefer external services, which are often costly.
Some married students also juggle family responsibilities alongside studies, adding to their mental burden.
To address this, Dr Mohanraj proposed an inter-university counselling network to widen access.
He urges universities to embed mental health education, including stress management and emotional regulation, in their curricula to normalise the conversation.
He recommended replacing high-stakes exams with continuous assessments, improving financial aid options like hardship allowances and part-time jobs, and enhancing campus environments through recreational spaces and nutritious food.
“There must be a national-level action plan to coordinate efforts across universities. This must be spearheaded by the Higher Education Ministry.
“This strategy must include anti-bullying policies and enforcement across universities instead of leaving it to the sole discretion of the individual universities to truly reflect zero-tolerance towards bullying,” he said.
This will also enhance public confidence in our tertiary education system.
Bullying, particularly cyberbullying and body shaming, is also one of the leading causes of increased stress, anxiety and depression among university students.
“This phenomenon is not just restricted to primary and secondary school students,” he added.
Prof Dr Mariani Md Nor, a psychologist at SEGi University, called for a multi-pronged strategy.
This includes strong institutional support, mental health awareness, balanced academic systems, active parental and community involvement, and national policies.
Universities and schools should establish counselling services, peer support groups and mental health hotlines.
Trained counsellors can provide early interventions before problems escalate.
“For that reason, it is crucially important to promote mental health awareness by sending information to the public that normalising discussions around mental wellbeing can reduce stigma,” she said.
The lack of support, she said, discourages students from seeking help and leaves issues unaddressed until they become severe.
On the policy front, Dr Mariani suggested more government funding for mental health resources, subsidised counselling and school-based screening programmes for early detection of at-risk students.
She also addressed the impact of social media, noting that excessive screen time can disrupt sleep and reduce real-world social interactions.
Unrealistic portrayals of success and lifestyle online can also lead to low self-esteem, while cyberbullying and misinformation further harm mental wellbeing.
Sunway Medical Centre clinical psychologist Evelyn Ngui Ailing said fostering community within higher education institutions is vital.
“Universities can offer interest-based clubs and activities like yoga, Pilates, book clubs and spirituality circles to promote connectivity.
“Teachers and mental health advocates can be trained to conduct weekly check-ins with small student groups to identify warning signs early,” she said.
She also recommended creating “safe spaces” on campus – small, private areas where students can seek emotional support.
This fosters a culture where mental health is treated as part of overall health, encouraging openness and reducing stigma.
“The awareness of mental health has improved in recent years due to the power and influence of social media. I hear issues on mental health being voiced out and shared regularly among young adults.
“Although some content may contain misinformation, consumers of social media should always verify and cross-check mental health information.
“On the other hand, social media (and virtual messaging) cannot be used as the sole compensation to improve social connectivity, as the presence of supportive individuals is key to improving mental wellbeing,” she added.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 found that one million Malaysians aged 16 and above suffer from depression.
Additionally, mental health issues among children and adolescents have more than doubled, from 424,000 cases in 2019 to 922,000 in 2023.