PUTRAJAYA: Children and adolescents' mental health is one of the most neglected health issues globally.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 10 to 20 per cent of children and adolescents suffered from poor mental health.
"This is before the Covid-19 pandemic and involves those aged from zero to 18 years old.
"According to the 2019 National Health Mobility Survey, about 424,000 children in Malaysia have mental problems, but most of them did not seek help."
Noor Azmi said one in eight adolescents aged 10 to 19, and one in 20 children aged five to nine years old were estimated to have a mental disorder (mainly depression) including developmental disorder (abnormal or delayed mental or physical development).
"Notably, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents aged 15 to 19.
"Among the risk factors for poor mental health include exposure to violence, peer victimisation, bullying, loneliness, and social isolation.
"Poor mental health can profoundly impact children's general health, learning abilities and participation, thus limiting opportunites to achieve their full potential.
"Those affected require careful support to develop their social and emotional skills to lead a healthy lifestyle," he said.
Noor Azmi was giving a speech at the launching ceremony of Malaysia Country Report and Infographic 2022: Strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial Support {MHPSS) Systems and Services for Children and Adolescents in East Asia and Pacific Region.
The report emphasises key gaps in the current response and challenges in the implementation of MHPSS among children and adolescents.
"This includes difficult or limited access to services for mental health problems, lack of empowerment in existing law and policies, deficiencies in communication and coordination between sectors, and insufficient funding."