Polls: Youths also struggling to cope with pandemic impact

RECENT Unicef Malaysia polls have raised serious concerns about the mental health state of Malaysia’s youths.

In July 2020, it was found that the biggest concern of 65% of young people polled was not knowing when things would return to normal.

While in another poll released in November, 70% of children say that the pandemic has made it more challenging to realise their dreams.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, nearly one in 10 children were reported to be struggling with mental health issues, according to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey.

In Malaysia, results from large-scale studies on the pandemic’s effect have yet to be released, if any.

Unicef education specialist Azlina Kamal said the pandemic, which originated as a health crisis, is quickly becoming a child rights crisis.

“Through ‘Voices of Covid Generation’ — an Education Ministry and Unicef Malaysia initiative which began in August last year — students shared that they were struggling with school closures and feeling depressed. Some even mentioned that they had suicidal tendencies, ” she said.

“The children’s education, food, safety and health, as well as rising family stress levels, are also at risk because of the pandemic.

“Immediate access to psychosocial support is critical, ” added Azlina.

There are also risks to children being online, especially when unsupervised.

These include online sexual abuse, cyberbullying, risk-taking online behaviour, potential harmful content, and where there are risks to a child’s privacy, she said. A lack of access to services and opportunities, money and support from friends, family and the community, she added, have been key risk-factors children were facing in this pandemic.Azlina said there is also a need to look at the impact the pandemic has on vulnerable groups and design policies to ensure that no one is left behind, especially with the absence of a strong social protection system.

“What worries me is that inequality, illness, poverty, and food insecurity collectively add to the mental health challenges children face in the country, ” she added.