NOVEMBER , 2023 | THE HEALTH

MINDTALK

BY DR ROZANIZAM ZAKARIA

The increasing incidence of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression , together with a lingering stigma that prevents help-seeking behaviour , are just two of the many obstacles facing children ’ s and adolescents ’ mental health .

The effects of social media and technology and the pressure to perform well in school can lead to increased stress and decreased well-being . Longlasting effects on mental health can also result from exposure to trauma and negative childhood experiences , and the problem is made worse by inadequate access to mental health care . Risky behaviours , such as substance misuse , frequently function as maladaptive coping strategies , which feed the loop of difficulties with mental health .

Coordinated efforts are needed to address these issues , raise awareness , improve mental health service accessibility , and provide a nurturing atmosphere that supports resilient behaviour in kids and teens and promotes healthy coping strategies .

A recent revelation from the National Adolescent Health Survey 2022 by the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) reflects the seriousness of this issue locally . The prevalence of suicidal ideation , plan , and attempt was 13.1 per cent , 10 per cent , and 9.5 per cent , respectively . Overall , 26.9 per cent of adolescents reported being depressed .

These parameters show an increase compared to the outcome of the previous survey . Meanwhile , the prevalence of truancy among adolescents in the past 30 days was 25.6 per cent , and only 46 per cent claimed to have peer support . On Oct 14 , this year , Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced that based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey ( NHMS ) report , 424,000 children in the country experienced mental health issues in the past year . This trend is seen to be increasing post-Covid-19 .

To combat the surge in mental health cases involving children and teenagers , the MoH recently announced it will create a mental health action plan for them . We absolutely applaud this statement as it is a timely action .

The minister emphasised during the recent launch of the 2023 World Mental Health Celebration that efforts will be made to improve the mental health of children and adolescents to prevent the issue from getting worse and leading to

suicide . Although the plan ’ s blueprint is yet to be seen , everyone should support this endeavour .

However , we must also emphasise that the MoH should not be the only organisation spearheading the effort . Given the wide range of parties involved - private and non-profit organisations , social welfare and welfare agencies , education and many more -all of these parties should be integrated into the actual action plan .

WHY WE NEED EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES

For several reasons , a successful national strategy for the mental health of children and adolescents is essential . First and foremost , a national strategy offers a cohesive framework for addressing mental health concerns , facilitating an all-encompassing strategy that covers several facets of mental health care , such as early intervention , treatment , and prevention . This will guarantee fair access to mental health services for kids and teenagers in various areas and societies , guaranteeing that everyone can get the help they require .

Efficient resource allocation is crucial because the strategy will require a lot of resources . Supporting mental health initiatives , research , and creating successful intervention programmes catered to the unique needs of children and adolescents involves allocating funds , hiring staff , and building infrastructure . In conclusion , this policy is critical to guarantee the existence of group cooperation and alliances among governmental bodies , medical professionals , academic institutions , and neighbourhood associations , cultivating alliances that support the creation and execution of successful mental health projects and programmes .

WISHLIST FOR THE UPCOMING POLICY

From a pragmatic standpoint , we

Dr Rozanizam Zakaria is an Assistant Prof in Psychiatry , Kulliyyah of Medicine , International Islamic University Malaysia ( UIAM ) and was a member of the national technical team for suicide prevention . He is currently pursuing his subspecialty training in Perth Children ’ s Hospital , Western Australia . anticipate that the government ’ s proposed strategic plan will offer a need-based intervention for the intended demographic . The plan may incorporate several global models that have been shown to be successful in lessening the effects of teenage mental health problems .

These four categories are addressed in Australia , for instance , through a very comprehensive strategic plan and policy that supports school settings , enhances the delivery system , supports families and communities , and offers evidence-based interventions . Enhancing the mental health outcomes of children and youth through focused interventions , early intervention programmes , and greater access to mental health services is the main goal of their National Action Plan for the Health of Children and Young People 2020 – 2030 . The strategy also emphasises how crucial it is to foster healthy mental health and resilience and promote positive mental health in educational settings and communities .

Among the initiatives that can be replicated are various community- and school-based programmes that aim to improve mental health literacy , early detection , and early intervention . The on-going Minda Sihat Program at schools in Malaysia for the last decade certainly needs a rejuvenation and upgrade . Besides that , we also need various efforts to support families at risk by providing programmes to build their resilience , address the vulnerable factors , and educate them about healthy attachment and parenting , which have been proven to be protective for children ’ s mental health .

For children experiencing significant social and economic disadvantage , disability , and education-related challenges , there is a need for specific intervention to address this . For example , access to financial aid , education assistance , and on-going support for the family is crucial . Special needs education also needs to be upgraded by upskilling the teachers and improving the existing facilities .

Many families are still unable to access treatment when they need it . This could be due to high costs , long waiting lists , requiring a diagnosis for treatment , or high severity thresholds . Increasing resourcing and training and combining faceto-face and telehealth approaches will improve access to support . There is a lack of multidisciplinary human resources such as speech therapists , occupational therapists , developmental psychologists and child counsellors in the community , which hinders timely assessment and effective intervention .

TIME FOR ACTION

There has been enough discussion of this issue ’ s significance . We cannot afford for the statistics in the next survey to rise much further . The facts in the future will demonstrate that we have done enough for this generation based on the actions we do today .

To prioritise the mental health of the younger generation and provide a friendly and nurturing environment , a national plan for children and adolescent mental health is essential . This will build the foundation for a healthier and more resilient society in the long run . We should all put a lot of effort to make this a reality . – The Health