‘Train teachers to spot mental issues among students’

PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry should train more teachers to become certified counsellors, as there are more students facing mental health problems, said Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

Lee, a member of the Malaysian Mental Health Advisory Council, said the ratio of those facing mental problems increased from one in 10 people in 2011 to one in five individuals in 2016.

He said training more teachers to become certified counsellors can help to identify students with problems and mould them into responsible citizens who reject violence.

Lee noted that recently, students were reportedly assaulted by their seniors in several bullying cases in various parts of the country.

“It’s very troubling and tragic to read news on violent cases involving those with mental health disorder from all levels of the society in recent months,” he said in a statement.

The National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2015 showed that about 4.2 million Malaysians aged 16 years and above, or 29.2% of the population, suffered from various mental problems.

The number is alarming because it shows an increase of 11.2% compared to 2006.

Experts have cited anxiety and depression as the main causes of mental health problems among students.

Other contributing factors include family problems, physical and cyber-bullying and stress when it comes to studies due to pressure from parents and teachers.

Lee said there were also cases of the public assaulting crime suspects, causing serious injuries or sometimes death. Cases of attempted suicide are also rampant due to severe depression.

“I believe that all these incidents might have occurred due to the culture of violence and mental health issues experienced by those involved,” he added.