KUALA LUMPUR, Sat.:
Six per cent of Malaysian youths aged between 16 and 24 have thoughts of suicide when under stress — a symptom which indicates they have mental health problems, Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai says.
He described the situation, based on a study by the ministry in 2006, as
“quite alarming” and could worsen if not addressed promptly.
He said there was an increase in the number of people with mental health problems in Malaysia especially among those within the age group of 70 to 74 (19.5 per cent), followed by those between 16 and 19 years old (14.4 per cent).
“Mental stress is a problem which should not be taken lightly because of its impact on the individuals’ pproductivity, efficiency and performance as well as their families and the society,” he told reporters after launching the “Jom Tangani Stress” programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Permaisuri here today.
To address the problem especially among students, Liow said the Health Ministry would collaborate with the Education Ministry to provide counsellors in schools with the appropriate skills and techniques.
The ministry, he added, would also organise workshops to expose the public to stress management, interpersonal communication skills, positive thinking and on ways to relax.
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