Latest news with #IYRES
Borneo Post
02-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah youth score below national average in Mental Health Index
Ellron (seated centre) gives thumbs up to the programme. KOTA KINABALU (July 2): Bumiputera youth in Sabah recorded a score of 71.04 in the Malaysian Youth Mental Health Index 2023 (MyMHI'23) — slightly below the national average of 71.91, according to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice Chancellor, Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor. He said the findings were part of a comprehensive study conducted by the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) in collaboration with UNICEF Malaysia. 'These statistics offer valuable insights for policymakers and youth themselves, underscoring the importance of cultivating a healthy environment that supports mental wellbeing,' he said during his keynote address at the International Conference for Youths (YOURS 2025) held at Ming Garden on Wednesday. The event was attended by over 120 participants. Dr Kasim emphasised that a healthy environment includes physical, social and psychological conditions that promote overall wellness and reduce health risks. 'To achieve this, several key aspects must be addressed — improving infrastructure, expanding green spaces in urban areas, fostering supportive learning and social environments in schools, universities and workplaces, and enhancing ethno-cultural empathy,' he said. He also pointed out that tackling economic challenges, particularly youth unemployment and financial literacy, is crucial. 'According to IYRES data, Malaysia's youth unemployment rate in 2023 was approximately 11.7%, a slight increase from previous years,' he said, noting that this figure remains well above the national average. On financial literacy, Dr Kasim cited a study published in the Malaysian Journal of Youth Studies showing that only 15.3% of young employees had a high level of financial literacy, while 69.2% demonstrated a moderate level. 'Limited financial knowledge can lead to poor savings habits and weak financial management, increasing the risk of bankruptcy, which may in turn impact mental health,' he said. According to the Malaysian Department of Insolvency, 317 bankruptcy cases were recorded in 2024 among youth aged 30 and below. From January to March 2025 alone, 78 bankruptcy cases were reported, including 37 cases in Sabah. He said the main contributing factors to youth bankruptcy include personal loans, vehicle hire-purchase, credit card debt and business loans. 'In response, various financial awareness programmes and youth-oriented initiatives have been implemented to improve financial literacy and build socioeconomic resilience,' he said. One major initiative is the launch of the Youth Socioeconomic Empowerment Plan 2030, a strategic framework developed to guide the Youth and Sports Ministry, alongside government and non-governmental agencies, in uplifting youth welfare. 'A key target of this plan is to reduce the youth unemployment rate to 6.5%,' he said, adding that the plan also aims to improve youth quality of life by creating more job opportunities, enhancing skills, promoting digitalisation and sustainability, and strengthening financial literacy and credit management. Dr Kasim also addressed the opportunities and challenges of digital technology for today's youth. 'Digital technology has transformed the way young people communicate and express themselves. However, they must be responsible and resilient digital citizens,' he said. He warned that while the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in education and workplaces may be beneficial, overdependence could lead to declining student quality. The event concluded with a closing address by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin.
Daily Express
02-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
‘Struggling with identity': Asean youth mental health forum hears rising stress levels among social media generation
KOTA KINABALU, June 29 — A total of 135 participants from Asean member states and Timor Leste attended the two-day Roundtable Discussion: Asean Youth Mental Health 2025 held here, which began yesterday. Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh said the forum brought together participants from various backgrounds, including mental health experts, religious figures, policymakers, government officials, civil society representatives and youth. In the Malaysian context, she said the forum was crucial as findings from the Malaysian Youth Mental Health Index Study 2023 (MyMHI'23) indicated that the mental health of youths aged 15 to 30 remained at a moderate level. 'For a serious issue like this, the government needs the involvement of all parties to come together and discuss. In this case, we need the cooperation of medical experts, youth representatives and religious groups,' she said after opening the programme here today. Meanwhile, the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) Acting Chief Executive Officer Shahhanim Yahya said that today's youth appear to struggle with their self-identity, as they are increasingly open about expressing emotions and stress on social media. 'The scope of stress is broad, and this is why it's important for us to better understand the determine whether the cause of stress stems from within themselves or from their surrounding ecosystem,' she said. Themed 'Asean Youth Voice: Empowering Minds, Ensuring Well-being', the programme aims to address the mental health challenges of Asean youth through regional cooperation, exchange of best practices and promoting inclusive advocacy to increase mental health literacy and improve access to mental health care. — Bernama
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Youth identity crisis fuels mental health problems, says Yeoh
KOTA KINABALU: Mental health problems among youths are linked to their sense of identity and future prospects, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. "Policymakers need to take this data seriously," she said after launching the "Roundtable Discussion: Asean Youth Mental Health" at a resort here. Yeoh was referring to the identity issues of stateless individuals in Sabah, which she said must be addressed despite the political sensitivities. She added that her ministry is working with the National Anti-Drugs Agency to curb substance abuse among youth, who often turn to drugs to cope with mental health challenges. "When we started talking to young people, we realised that many of them turn to drugs for various reasons. But our approach is not to judge them. "We want to raise awareness and encourage them to seek help and get treatment. They cannot sit at home and try to resolve this problem alone.". Findings from the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) showed that indigenous communities recorded the lowest scores on the depression index, likely due to their access to stress-relieving activities or environments. She said that Sarawak had the highest happiness scores, while Sabah ranked in the top five. IYRES said one in five youths aged 15 to 30 is experiencing mental stress. Yeoh said the meeting aimed to promote youth mental health awareness among Asean states and adopt best practices, given their shared lifestyles and challenges. She said that the government alone cannot solve the mental health crisis, and collective efforts are needed from all sectors, including medical professionals and religious organisations. The initiative follows a recent Dewan Rakyat session, where suicide attempts were decriminalised. They were previously punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code. The roundtable was organised by IYRES in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and the Communication for Development Centre at Universiti Putra Malaysia. Representatives from Asean states also attended the event.
Malaysian Reserve
23-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia charts research-driven path to youth empowerment
by SHAUQI WAHAB MALAYSIA is taking a structured and research-backed approach to youth empowerment through the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES), focusing on evidence-based policies that address mental health, economic inclusion and civic engagement. IYRES senior research executive Asnida Arshad shared Malaysia's evolving youth development framework, listing major findings from recent studies and the implementation of comprehensive strategies to empower youth at the national level. One of the key concerns raised was the growing mental health challenges among Malaysian youth, exacerbated by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and increased exposure to online stressors. In response, IYRES conducted the Youth Mental Health Index in collaboration with Unicef, covering seven domains and 28 indicators such as lifestyle, personal characteristics, social support and coping mechanisms. She said the score received was moderately satisfactory with an index score of 79.71 out of 100. 'While life experience scored high, mental resilience and environmental pressures need further support. 'These insights must be factored into future development programmes,' she said in her presentation on the overview of youth development in Malaysia during the Fourth ASEAN Youth Dialogue today. While life experience scored high, mental resilience and environmental pressures need further support, says Asnida (pic: SHAIQI WAHAB/TMR) Building on these insights, IYRES developed the Youth Socio-economic Empowerment Plan (Y-SET), which outlines 10 strategies and 24 initiatives focused on strengthening youth wellbeing, promoting economic participation and ensuring sustainability. This plan draws from national policy frameworks and includes programmes such as job matching, career guidance, cultural events and youth leadership development. 'This is not just about research — we are shaping national strategies,' Asnida said. According to her, the Y-SET is guided by four core pillars: User-based planning, strategic partnerships, impact assessment and digital monitoring. A recurring issue in the IYRES research was the low level of youth engagement in political discourse, with young people expressing scepticism and distrust toward political leadership. She explained that many youths perceive politics as unclean or irrelevant to their daily lives. Furthermore, many of them vote without fully understanding the political context. They rely on social media or their parents' views. 'The score for political participation in our Youth Index remains low because of such internal and external influences,' she said. While IYRES does not implement political advocacy programmes directly — given its role as a research body — it continues to provide data and policy suggestions to relevant government agencies. Asnida stressed that creating meaningful political engagement among youth would require stronger cross-sectoral collaboration, especially in education and civic awareness. Currently, IYRES operates with a staff of 40, half of whom are researchers conducting nationwide studies, including an ongoing survey on youth not in employment, education or training (NEET). The findings from this study are expected to be released later this year and will further inform Malaysia's youth policy direction. 'Through structured policy, digital tools and collaborative action, we aim to empower them to thrive locally and compete globally,' she said.
