ONE in 20 children in Malaysia aged five to nine years old are estimated to have mental disorders including developmental disorders, said Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.

Speaking to reporters after launching the full study Malaysia Country Report and Infographic: Strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Systems and Services for Children and Adolescents in East Asia and Pacific Region (MHPSS) today, he said the 2019 National Health Mobility Survey (NHMS) also found that one in eight adolescents, aged 10 to 19 years old, had mental disorders.

Dr Noor Azmi said NHMS also revealed that about 424,000 children in Malaysia had mental problems but many did not come forward to seek help.

“In Malaysia, young children and teenagers experience a high burden of poor mental health,” he said, adding that poor mental health, exposure to violence, peer victimisation and bullying, loneliness and social isolation are prevalent risk factors among the group.

On the MHPSS, he said the report highlighted critical gaps in the current response and challenges in the implementation of MHPSS among children and adolescents, including difficult or limited access to services for mental health problems, lack of empowerment in existing laws and policies, deficiencies in communication and coordination between sectors, and insufficient funding.

Dr Noor Azmi said the Health Ministry was also committed to translating the MHPSS research findings into policy and practice. – Bernama, August 29, 2022.