Why youths are more stressed than ever, and what we can do about it
Here in Malaysia, we're facing a growing mental health crisis, particularly among our young people.
PAUL NG06 Feb 2025 02:00pm
It's not just social media that's the problem; it's one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Photo: Canva
Their mental health struggles are different from what we've seen before, and it's because of a mix of things, from the pressures of social media to worrying about the economy. And here in Malaysia, the numbers are seriously concerning.
Looking at the big picture, it's clear that Gen Z is having a tough time. Studies, like the ones from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation, show they struggle way more with their mental and emotional well-being than older generations did.
More of them describe their mental health as "poor" or "just okay," and they're more likely to feel anxious, stressed, sad, and lonely every single day.
They might be hopeful about the future, but that hope is often mixed with feeling like they're just not ready for it.
THE KIDS ARE NOT ALRIGHT
Here in Malaysia, things are especially concerning. We're facing a growing mental health crisis, particularly among our young people.
It was reported that mental health cases among teenagers and students doubled in 2023 – that's a huge jump and shows how urgently we need to step in and offer support.
The numbers from the National Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS) are even more alarming: we've seen a really worrying increase in mental health problems among young Malaysians, and along with that, a disturbing rise in thoughts of suicide, planning suicide, and even attempting it. It's a serious situation that we can't ignore.
SOCIAL MEDIA, STRESS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
The research also shows a connection is between social media and mental health. We often assume social media is just bad for Gen Z, but actually, everyone uses it, and they find good and bad things about it.
Studies found that too much social media can rob you of real-life connections. Worried if you are in danger of falling into the trap? Take our quiz here to find out.
So, what's causing all this? It's not one thing, but a bunch of things piling up. Kids are under enormous pressure to do well in school, they're constantly comparing themselves to others on social media, and family life can be stressful too.
On top of that, even before they start working, they're already worried about their future careers.
The way work is changing, with everyone always "on" and work and life blending together, is a huge source of stress.
Gen Z might be the most stressed-out generation at work we've ever seen, dealing with burnout and a terrible work-life balance.
MALAYSIA IS STEPPING UP
It's good to know that the Malaysian government is taking this seriously. They're trying to tackle this growing mental health problem.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is working with the WHO and Unicef to create a mental health plan specifically for children and teens, which should offer a lot more support and ways to help.
They're also continuing programmes like Minda Sihat Sekolah, which gives students access to mental health resources and support in schools across the country. Plus, the MOH offers mental health services at clinics, hospitals, and their MENTARI centres, and are working on getting more child and adolescent psychiatrists, which is really important.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) is also stepping up. They've started mental health screenings for students from Year 5 to Form 6, and children who seem to be struggling more get checked in more often.
If a student shows signs of depression, they get support through different programmes that teach them how to manage stress, solve problems, and handle their emotions.
The MOE also offers resources to help students learn about mental health and is working with the MOH to create guidelines for when students need more specialised help. They're also putting health promotion programmes in place in schools.
FINDING HOPE IN A CHALLENGING WORLD
These initiatives are a good start. But, honestly, we can't pretend it's simple. We really need to understand the connection between social media and mental health better.
Social media can be a way to connect with people and express yourself, but it can also make you feel like you're not good enough because everyone else seems to have perfect lives.
That pressure to look perfect online can be especially tough on young people.
It's not just up to the government, though. We all have a part to play. Families, schools, everyone in the community needs to create a supportive environment for our young people.
We need to be able to talk openly about mental health, make sure people can easily find help if they need it, and stop acting like mental illness is something to be ashamed of.
Unsure if you're standing on the edge, or are you just holding on to your mental wellbeing? Take our quiz to see if you're doing everything you can to prioritise your mental health. Click here to find out!
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