Children Mental Health

"In primary school, I was really nervous and shy. I wouldn’t do a lot of things, and I had a lot of anxieties. I also didn’t really like going out of the house." – Mohammed’s story, Place2Be 

"My eight-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was really struggling to settle in. She went from being a confident, happy child to feeling insecure and losing interest in everything related to school." – Charlotte’s story, Place2Be 

Do these stories sound familiar? You may have heard something similar from children around you. These experiences in children’s mental health are more common than we think. According to Malaysia’s National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, 1 in 6 children in the country face mental health challenges. This is not just a phase—it’s a growing concern that needs our attention.

Image by freepik, designed on Freepik

The burden of mental health problems among children has doubled since 2019:

• 46% have peer problems

• 25% have conduct problems

• 17% have emotional problems

• 8% have hyperactivity problems

Source: Malaysia’s National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023

What are the causes?

There is no confirmed reason to why some children have mental health issues but it is most likely caused by traumatic events such as:

• Constant moving around such as moving home or changing schools

• Being bullied

• Witnessing or experiencing domestic violence

• Parents undergoing divorce

• Someone close to them passing away

• Having a long-term illness

Image by pvproductions, designed by Freepik

How to help your anxious child?

• Talk to your child and listen to understand their feelings.

• Avoid making assumption or dismissing their worries.

• Give them reassurance by telling them that recognising and talking about their problems is a good and a brave thing to do.

• Teach them to recognise the signs of anxiety in themselves and let them know that anxiety is a natural reaction to stress.

• Help them to find solutions to their worries

If your child is still facing problems and struggles with everyday life, please immediately bring them to seek professional help. Click here for the list of helplines.

I am concerned for my child’s well-being. Where do I get help?

You may book an appointment with any of the hospitals or clinics in Malaysia to have a specialist to check on your child.

Need help to find your healthcare provider? View the list of MHTC’s member hospitals in Malaysia here:

https://empowerenglish.edu.vn/mhtc/mhtc-members/

Here at Malaysia Healthcare, we prioritise a patient's entire being, not just their physical symptoms or diagnosis, but taking into account their mental, emotional, social, and even spiritual well-being. This ensures their needs are met holistically with personalised care that supports every aspect of their healing and recovery journey.

References: 

Children First 

Place2Be