| Ishan Ibrahim |
CLINICAL Psychologist from the Health Promotion Centre Syahmun binti Metassan highlighted the importance of mental health in a presentation for Year 7 students of Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna Secondary School recently.
Syahmun noted that many students in the early stages of adolescent and adulthood experienced situations such as changing schools, leaving home and starting university.
“This could be a time of stress and apprehension,” she said.
The existence of online media technologies can also be a boon and a burden, with the constant bombardment of information in the daily lives of the students, she said. Some children face bullying and exploitation during these media exchanges, she added.
She urged parents and guardians to constantly be on the lookout for any changes in the behaviour of their children, subtle or otherwise. Detection of problems in their mental health could go a long way in helping their children, she explained.
Syahmun also presented advisories on how to manage stress and other related issues, and how to seek help from parents, teachers and others.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said mental health issues in adolescents are among the leading risk factors for death, such as suicides, and causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
The World Mental Health Survey found that many mental disorders usually start during childhood or adolescence, although diagnosis and treatment may be delayed for years.
Half of all lifetime mental disorders appear to start by age 14.