02-07-2025
Indigenous youths top in mental health
Published on: Wednesday, July 02, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025
By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Hannah with the organisers and participants at the launch of the roundtable discussion. Kota Kinabalu: Indigenous communities among the youth recorded the lowest mental health scores, largely due to a simple lifestyle, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. Findings by the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) showed that indigenous people in Sarawak had the highest happiness scores, while Sabah ranked in the top five. 'This suggests that we need to create more opportunities for healthy recreational activities to support our urban youth,' Yeoh said after launching the 'Roundtable Discussion: Asean Youth Mental Health' at a resort here. 'Mental health is also deeply tied to a person's sense of identity. For the stateless individuals in Sabah, it affects how they see themselves and their future. Policymakers must take this seriously.' She said many youths turn to illegal substances to cope with challenges, and the Ministry is working closely with the National Anti-Drugs Agency to address the issue. 'When we started talking to young people, we realised that many turn to drugs for various reasons. But our approach is not to judge them. Our goal is to raise awareness and encourage youth to seek help, because they cannot sit at home and try to resolve this problem alone,' she said. The message, she added, is clear: 'You are not alone,' as many others are struggling with similar issues. 'We urge leaders and lawmakers not to make light of mental health, which is still often treated as a joke, especially when mocking terms like 'hospital bahagia'. This must stop. People should never feel ashamed to seek help.' The initiative to address youth mental health issues began after Parliament passed a bill to decriminalise attempted suicide, previously an offence under Section 309 of the Penal Code. 'We are still in the process of raising awareness. Through this forum, we aim to share ideas and adapt best practices, as lifestyles across Asean countries are almost similar,' she said. Yeoh said the challenges are serious and cannot be resolved by government alone. They require collaboration across all sectors, including medical professionals and religious organisations. She said studies by IYRES showed one in five youths aged 15 and 30 years old is experiencing mental stress. In her keynote address, she said the meeting aimed to promote regional cooperation through the exchange of best practices, policies and programmes; foster advocacy by mobilising governments, NGOs and youth leaders to build inclusive and sustainable initiatives; and empower youth through leadership training and mental health advocacy. The roundtable featured three thematic sessions and one interactive dialogue, culminating in a jointly adopted resolution The sessions included 'Asean Mental Health Blueprint: Resilient Youth, Thriving Communities', which stressed the need to mainstream mental health in youth development strategies, she said. 'It called for robust government leadership and cross-sector collaboration to drive inclusive policies, culturally responsive programmes, and accessible support systems,' she said. Another session, 'Open Minds, Open Doors: Expanding Mental Well-being Access for a Resilient Asean', focused on awareness and accessibility. It highlighted the importance of early intervention and destigmatising help-seeking behaviours, while encouraging youth to make informed decisions about their mental well-being. The third session, 'Tech for Minds: Pathways to Innovation, Equity and Empowerment', explored how technology can close emotional and psychosocial support gaps through inclusive, youth-friendly digital solutions, emphasising innovation and equitable access. The event concluded with the endorsement of a resolution to strengthen action on youth mental health and well-being across Asean and Timor-Leste, marking a step toward a more inclusive and sustainable region. The roundtable was organised by IYRES in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and the Communication for Development Center (C4D) at Universiti Putra Malaysia. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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