JOHOR BARU: The Education Ministry will come up with additional school guidelines for early detection of depression in students.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (pic) said that the additional guidelines would enable heads and teachers of schools to be more aware of any signs that could indicate the student was suffering from the condition.
"Headmasters and teachers can monitor the student's performance in school, and based on sudden behavioural changes, can refer them for counselling," he said on Friday.
Mahdzir said the additional guidelines could help detect depression at an early stage, potentially preventing unwanted incidents such as the one where a 12-year-old boy was found hanged in his adoptive family's home on Wednesday.
He said this after visiting the boy's family in Kampung Cahaya Baru near Masai here.
Those in need of a sympathetic ear can call the Befrienders in Penang (04-281 5161/1108), Ipoh (05-547 7933/7955), Kuala Lumpur (03-7956 8144/8145), Johor Baru (07-331 2300), Kota Kinabalu (088-255 788) or email sam@befrienders.org.my.
