Pressure to achieve academic and career success, relationship problems, social media influence and financial difficulties are among the main factors affecting young people's mental health.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) found that 4.6 per cent of Malaysians aged 16 and above, or about one million people, suffered from depression.
Young people recorded the highest prevalence, at 7.9 per cent among those aged 16 to 19, and 7.6 per cent among those aged 20 to 29.
In a written parliamentary reply to Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (Pas-Tumpat), who asked about the mental well-being of young people, Dzulkefly said his ministry had established the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health to coordinate government policies and initiatives on mental health.
The centre is responsible for addressing mental health crises, developing policies, implementing interventions and providing training.
Dzulkefly said the ministry also welcomed a proposal to establish an interministerial task force to pool expertise and strengthen early intervention.
Several cross-ministry initiatives were already in place, he said, including the Healthy Minds Programme with the Education Ministry and the Healthy Student Programme with the Higher Education Ministry.
He said the ministry also served as a referral centre for cases requiring further assessment through KafeTeen services under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Meanwhile, the 2022 NHMS, which assessed post-partum depression, found that 11.2 per cent of mothers experienced the condition, with nine in 10 unaware they had it.
Dzulkefly said post-partum depression was more prevalent among younger mothers and those living in urban areas.
He said families, friends and the wider community had a role in recognising signs of mental health issues among young people for early intervention and treatment.
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