KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 — The Education Ministry (MOE) has introduced Mental Health Screening as an early detection tool to identify students with emotional challenges, said its Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh.
He said the annual screening is conducted for all students in Year Five to Form Six, and those identified with severe emotional issues undergo screening twice a year.
Students showing early signs of depression receive immediate support through focused interventions using the Mental Health Module, the Mental Health Intervention Programme, and the Adolescent Mental Health Module.
"These modules equip students with stress management and problem-solving skills, and teach them how to regulate emotions effectively," Wong said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's query on MOE's response to a United Nations Children's Fund report, which revealed that 12.3 per cent of teenagers aged 15 to 17 living in People’s Housing Projects in the Klang Valley are struggling with mental health issues and are at risk of suicide.
Wong added that the MOE provides psycho-educational resources through infographics, short videos, the mental health website, and self-wellness guides across various social media platforms.
For students identified with severe or very severe depression, schools will arrange consultation sessions with their parents or guardians before referring them for treatment with medical specialists at nearby clinics or hospitals.
These consultations also introduce parents or guardians to relaxation and mindfulness techniques to support their children's mental well-being.
He said the MOE is working closely with the Health Ministry to develop guidelines for referring students with mental health issues and to implement the Health Promotion in Learning Institutions programme.
— Bernama
