By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SHAH ALAM, July 9 — Drastic changes in students’ behaviour could be an early indicator of mental health troubles such as depression, and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Hilwa Abdullah@Mohd Nor, clinical psychology expert cum senior lecturer at the Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said among other obvious signs are a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, or anhedonia.
She said those experiencing these symptoms are also prone to self-isolation, disordered sleeping, loss of appetite, lack of focus, and self-harming or suicide.
“An early sign is when the child’s behaviour changes. Not mingling with family members. Not leaving their room, not socialising, not going out with friends.
“Other than that, they no longer like doing their favourite things, called anhedonia, which is the loss of enjoyment in things you usually do,” she told Media Selangor.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Psikologi Malaysia (PSIMA) president Assoc Prof Shazli Ezzat Ghazali urged that mental health education be incorporated into the school curriculum as a long-term preventive measure.
He said the initiative could help students manage stress, build empathy, and destroy the stigma against mental health.
“PSIMA urges all parents, teachers, school administrators, policymakers, media and communities to work together to build an environment more conducive to supporting students’ mental health.
“Don’t wait for a tragedy to start caring. Mental health is a shared responsibility. Every student has the right to live with hope, not in fear,” he said.
On Monday, state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said 2.8 per cent of the 36,428 secondary school students in Selangor, who were screened under the Minda Sihat programme via surveys, are at high risk of depression.
Jamaliah added that based on data analysis, negative psychological behaviour among students in the state is under control.
