KUCHING: Mental health issues among teenagers or students nationwide are worrying, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Based on records she said the numbers are more than 3,000 nationwide, and in Sarawak alone, about 1,000 individuals have reached out for help.
She said the pressures faced by these individuals may be due to family, learning or environmental problems.
“If we do not take care of ourselves and manage our stress, it can give us long-term effects.
“Mental health issues are not only experienced by adults but also among children, teenagers as well.
“There are students who have suicidal thoughts like cutting their own wrist, so we do not want this to become a normal trend among our society. We feel that we need to intervene, and from there we can do what we can do as according to our theme ‘Kamek Nengar Kamek Nulong’, and we are trying to help as many as possible,” she said.
She said this at a press conference after officiating at the Program Jelajah Kasih PSSS ‘Kamek Nengar, Kamek Nulong’ and Back-to-School contributions’ 2025 event by National Welfare Foundation (YKN) at Mydin Vista Tunku, Petra Jaya, here today.
She also cited a similar event she attended in Lundu, where 20 out of 96 cases were considered quite pressing cases.
“This is not an exaggeration, it is something they need help. From there we can see that the need is for real, a lot of it is related to pressures. In some places, students themselves sought out councilors and we can see the variety of issues faced by these students.
“For that reason, we feel this is a necessity for society, regardless of women, anyone, especially students who are teenagers. We regret seeing things happen that may lead them to suicide, we do not want that to happen,” she said.
Nancy also explained that sometimes when people are all stressed-out, they do not know where to complain, therefore this PSSS (Pusat Sokongan Sosial Setempat) initiative is one of the steps to ensure that the community has a place to get help and support without any stigma.
The role of PSSS, she said is as an avenue where people can come together to express their problems and issues, which will be heard by professionals and registered counsellors.
“PSSS conducts counselling for individuals and families as well as advocacy sessions and mental well-being awareness programmes.
“PSSS, some are mobile, some are static, and those mobile ones will make it easier for them to reach out more communities throughout Sarawak and the country,” she said.
She added, YKN’s role and support to help the government through initiatives such as PSSS requires cooperation from various parties.
“Support from corporate companies and organisations can support YKN’s efforts in further strengthening this social support service,” she said.
Meanwhile, in today’s event, Program Jelajah Kasih PSSS ‘Kamek Nengar, Kamek Nulong’ and Back-to-School contributions’ 2025 event, is an annual programme by YKN.
For the beginning of this year, YKN and Nancy’s ministry started with 680 students, involving 25 schools in her parliamentary constituency including Lundu and some schools around Kuching and some to be delivered soon.
Among those present at the event were YKN member of the Board of Trustees, Siti Rafidah Adenan, YKN chief executive officer Nordina Haron, Sarawak Education Department deputy director of Planning and Management sector, Dr Abang Adam Abang Deli (representing the Education Department Sarawak director).
