INTERACTIVE: Malaysian kids hit by rising anxiety disorders

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s children are facing a rising tide of anxiety disorders, which experts say shows no clear signs of ebbing.

They say the problem is due to a mix of social isolation, excessive social media exposure, school stress, and problems at home.

Figures from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) show that anxiety disorders shot up in many countries since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Malaysia had the highest anxiety disorder rate in Asean in 2021, with 5.5% of the country’s population or about 1.8 million people affected.

Laos was second (5%), followed by the Philippines (4.8%), according to data from the independent global research centre.

In Malaysia, children aged 10 to 14 bore the highest share of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) linked to mental health problems compared with all other age groups, at 21%.

DALYs measures the total number of healthy years lost due to illness, disability, or premature death.

The second-highest share of DALYs linked to mental health problems was found in those aged 15 to 19 (18%), followed by those aged 20 to 24 (16%).

“Covid-19 acted as an accelerant to an already rising trend driven by social change, school stress, and digital exposure.

“There is no clear evidence that anxiety levels have returned to pre-pandemic norms,” said Malaysia Mental Health Association president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj, when asked about the IHME’s figures.

He said the increase in mental health burden among 10 to 14-year-olds involves multiple, diverse factors and causes.

They include improved detection, pandemic-related schooling disruptions, social isolation, bereavement, and heightened family stress.

To help the country’s kids, gaps in early detection and school-based support need to be closed, said Dr Mohanraj.

“Mental health programmes in schools are often short-term and not systematised.

“Routine screening in schools and primary care is not widely implemented, and stigma and low help-seeking behaviour in families further delay intervention.”

He said a shortage of mental health professionals in rural areas needs to be filled.

Dr Mohanraj called for routine mental health screening, clear referral pathways, and fast-track access for high-risk youth, including those with self-harm or suicidal behaviour.

Parents and communities must also play a role.

“Device-free mealtimes, limits on late-night screen use and addressing cyberbullying are important, alongside parenting programmes to improve digital literacy.”

Principal counsellor of Heart Talk Venture Assoc Prof Dr Anasuya Jegathevi Jegathesan said the pandemic disrupted a critical period of social development for children aged 10 to 14.

“Covid happened, and it stunted social growth,” she said, explaining that many children missed opportunities to develop social skills through everyday interaction.

She said social media was among the main drivers of post-pandemic anxiety in children.

While social media can help some children stay connected, it often increases vulnerability to online predators, cyberbullying, and unrealistic social comparison.

“Parents should be aware of what their children are doing online.

“Some children bounce back well post-Covid, but those who don’t need support and social media can make them more anxious if left unchecked,” she said.

Last month, the government announced that it would bar children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, part of measures to better protect youths from harmful content and negative effects of social media.

Dr Anasuya said anxiety often goes undetected in schools because affected children tend to be quiet, compliant, and academically focused.

“These are the children who retreat, who don’t have many friends, and teachers may not see that as a problem.”

She warned that anxiety learned in childhood can become a lifelong pattern if not addressed early.

“When you are anxious as a child, you’re very likely to be anxious as an adult.”

Unresolved conflict at home can also worsen childhood anxiety.

“Never assume your child does not know you and your spouse are fighting. They know, especially teenagers.”

In Asean, anxiety disorders accounted for 31% of total DALYs attributed to mental disorders, followed by depressive disorders at 29.6%.

Together, these conditions made up more than 60% of the region’s mental health disease burden.

Overall, an estimated 80.4 million people in Asean were living with mental disorders in 2021, nearly 70% more than in 1990, underscoring the scale and urgency of the challenge.