KUALA LUMPUR – The Institute for Youth Research, the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the United Nations Children’s Fund have banded together to establish Malaysia’s Youth Mental Health Index 2023 (MyMHI’23).
The MyMHI’23 initiative is the first mental health index in Malaysia, designed to gauge the mental well-being of youths aged 15 to 30.
With the support of relevant stakeholders, this collaboration proves the shared commitment to raising awareness of the mental health of youth.
“This index comprises seven domains, namely lifestyle, environment, individual personality, life experience, social support, stress management, and healthy mind, which are supported by 28 indicators.
“Overall, the MyMHI’23, which involves 5,867 respondents, showed that the level of mental health of youth in the country is at a moderately satisfying level with a score of 71.91,” stated the ministry in a statement today.
The MyMHI’23 was launched by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh at a hotel in Putrajaya today.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim.
The life experience domain recorded the highest score at 88.51, signalling a satisfactory level, while the environment domain scored the lowest at 65.45, indicating a moderately satisfying level.
Based on the index results, the ministry has identified several interventions to help increase youth mental health, including:
i) Creating less crowded living spaces equipped with necessities to foster stress-free environments;
ii) Improving access to mental health services for youths;
iii) Promoting healthy lifestyles, encompassing healthy eating habits and engaging in physical activities;
iv) Enhancing resilience through mental health awareness and dispelling stereotypes;
v) Encouraging youth involvement in associations and volunteer activities; and
vi) Empowering parents by promoting mental health literacy and positive parenting skills.
The endeavour to study and enhance mental health among Malaysian youths aligns with Strategy 1, Core 3, of the Madani youth development model, which aims to improve youth mental health and physical and spiritual well-being. – April 22, 2024