Attempted Suicide Rate Rises To 10% Among Malaysian Teens: NHMS Survey

NHMS 2022 survey shows an increase in suicidal thought and attempted suicide rates to 13.1% and 9.5% respectively among Malaysian teens aged 13-17. Higher prevalence reported among girls – 18.5% (suicidal thought), 13.4% (attempted suicide) – than boys.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 – The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022 has revealed a troubling trend of increasing suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide among Malaysian teenagers in the past five years.

According to the survey findings, the prevalence of suicidal thought increased from 10 per cent in 2017 to 13.1 per cent among teenagers aged 13 to 17 years in Malaysia last year.

Similarly, the rate of attempted suicides among Malaysian teenagers rose from 6.9 per cent in 2017 to 9.5 per cent in 2022.

The NHMS: Adolescent Health Survey 2022 by the Institute for Public Health (IKU) also shed light on gender disparities in suicidal thought and attempted suicide among adolescents aged 13 to 17 years polled in secondary schools from June 12 to July 8, 2022.

It revealed that 18.5 per cent of teenage girls reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, more than double the 7.6 per cent prevalence among male adolescents.

Similarly, the NHMS 2022 indicated that 13.4 per cent of teenage girls had attempted suicide, also more than twice as high as 5.7 per cent prevalence among boys. 

These distressing statistics highlight the critical need of providing timely intervention and mental health support to this vulnerable demographic.

In addition to the rising rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts, the NHMS survey exposed a considerable number of teenagers experiencing depression. 

A quarter of respondents reported feelings of depression, indicating a pervasive mental health issue among Malaysian youth. 

The data also revealed a significant gender disparity, with twice as many girls, accounting for 36.1 per cent, reporting depressive symptoms compared to boys, who accounted for 17.7 per cent.

Four in Ten Teens Verbally Abused At Home, Higher Rates Among Girls

Statistics on violence among Malaysian teens from the National Health & Morbidity Survey 2022: Adolescent Health Survey 2022. Graphic by the Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Data from NHMS 2022 further revealed alarming rates of verbal and physical abuse experienced by Malaysian teenagers within their homes. 

According to the IKU survey, 41 per cent of respondents reported being verbally abused, with a higher percentage of females (51.8 per cent) reporting such abuse compared to males. 

Additionally, 7.5 per cent of teenagers reported experiencing physical abuse at home, with a slightly higher percentage of females (8.1 per cent) than males.

The survey also highlighted other concerning aspects of adolescent life, including the prevalence of physical fights and physical attacks. 

Approximately 16 per cent of teenagers reported being involved in a physical fight, with a higher percentage among males (18.9 per cent). Likewise, 14.8 per cent of respondents reported being physically attacked, with a slightly higher percentage among males (16.1 per cent).

In light of these findings, the report emphasises the urgent need to “promote a psychologically-safe environment” for Malaysian adolescents. 

The statistics on verbal and physical abuse within the home, coupled with the rising rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts, highlight the importance of comprehensive support systems and interventions.

Bullying Highest Among Form One Students

Statistics on bullying among Malaysian teens from the National Health & Morbidity Survey 2022: Adolescent Health Survey 2022. Graphic by the Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the NHMS survey also revealed that 8.6 per cent of adolescents reported having been bullied. 

The highest incidence of bullying was observed among Form One students, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue at the early stages of secondary education. 

Bullying rates were found to be higher among young adolescents, with boys (9.1 per cent) experiencing a slightly higher prevalence than girls (8 per cent).

The survey delved into the various forms of bullying that teenagers face. The most common ways in which they reported being bullied included being made fun of for their appearance, with 26.7 per cent of respondents indicating this form of bullying. 

About 16 per cent reported being subjected to sexual jokes, comments, or gestures, while 13 per cent of teenagers reported being intentionally left out of activities or completely ignored.

Additionally, 11.7 per cent faced racial or nationality-based bullying, and 20.2 per cent experienced bullying in other ways.

One In Five Teens Face Cyberbullying

Statistics on cyberbullying perpetrator among Malaysian teens from the National Health & Morbidity Survey 2022: Adolescent Health Survey 2022. Graphic by the Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia.

In addition to traditional bullying, the NHMS survey also revealed the prevalence of cyberbullying among Malaysian teenagers. 

The data indicated that one in five teenagers, or approximately 20 per cent, reported being bullied through the internet, cell phones, or other electronic devices. 

The incidence of cyberbullying was found to be higher among males (22.7 per cent) compared to females (13.9 per cent).

The survey further identified the different ways in which teenagers were involved in cyberbullying activities. 

Approximately 11.3 per cent of respondents admitted to making rude comments to others online, while 6.9 per cent confessed to spreading rumours about someone through online platforms. 

Additionally, 4.8 per cent reported engaging in the dissemination of embarrassing photos of others online, and 2 per cent indicated making threatening comments to hurt someone online. 

A smaller percentage of respondents, 1.8 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively, acknowledged asking someone to talk about sex or engage in sexual activities online.

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