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Three in 10 Kelantan Teenagers Experience Depression, Survey Finds
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Health & Science

Three in 10 Kelantan Teenagers Experience Depression, Survey Finds

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A recent survey in Kelantan, Malaysia, revealed that three out of every 10 teenagers experience moderate to severe depression.
  • The survey also indicated that 47% of young adults aged 20-39 show symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety.
  • The state government is intensifying mental health programs, including community-based initiatives and suicide prevention training, to address the rising concerns.

Mental health among young people in Kelantan, Malaysia, is a growing concern, with a recent survey showing a significant number of teenagers experiencing depression and young adults grappling with anxiety. The "Kelantan State Mental Health Screening 2025" found that 29.5% of adolescents aged 13 to 19 suffer from moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Concurrently, 47% of young adults between 20 and 39 years old exhibit moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.

In response, Hilmi Abdullah, chairman of the state's Local Government, Housing, Health, and Environment Committee, emphasized the need to strengthen mental health promotion, early detection, intervention, and psychosocial support. He highlighted that young people require particular attention through continuous engagement and support.

Young people are among the groups that require special attention through continuous promotion, early detection, early intervention, and psychosocial support approaches.

— Hilmi AbdullahChairman of the State Committee on Local Government, Housing, Health, and Environment, explaining the focus on youth mental health.

The state government, in collaboration with the Kelantan State Health Department (JKNK), is bolstering intervention programs. These include the "Sejahtera Community Mind Program" (K-MINDSET) and "MySAVE Suicide Prevention Training." Additionally, they are conducting "MySAVE and K-MINDSET Strengthening Programs" for community volunteers and a Mental Health Symposium. The state has also established 15 dedicated MHPSS psychosocial hotlines to provide psychological assistance, counseling, and initial support via phone, WhatsApp, and video calls.

Community networks are crucial, with each of Kelantan's 10 districts having two K-MINDSET localities involving 164 community volunteers. These volunteers act as the frontline in identifying at-risk individuals and facilitating early support. Mental health promotion and education activities are also being expanded to schools, educational institutions, workplaces, and communities to raise awareness and reduce stigma. Interactive modules, including gamification, are being developed to engage more young people in the available programs.

The community network functions as the frontline in identifying at-risk individuals and helping them get earlier support.

— Hilmi AbdullahDescribing the role of community volunteers in mental health initiatives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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