Latest news with #M-CHAMP
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Mental health struggles drive rise in school refusal among children, teens
Common triggers include separation anxiety in younger children, peer-related stress such as bullying, and academic pressure - all of which have become more evident since the Covid-19 pandemic. 01 Jun 2025 06:00am Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Hospital Permai Johor Bahru Dr Nor Rahidah Abd Rahim speaks during at the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025 on May 27. - Photo by Bernama IPOH - Rising cases of school refusal among children and adolescents in Malaysia are being driven by mental health struggles such as anxiety, bullying, family conflict and depression. Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Hospital Permai Johor Bahru Dr Nor Rahidah Abd Rahim, said the issue is often misunderstood, with many assuming that students simply "do not want to go to school', when in fact the problem is rooted in deeper psychological issues that require clinical attention. "Children don't refuse school without a reason. When we investigate, we often find underlying issues such as social anxiety, panic attacks, learning difficulties or even trauma,' she said during the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025, held here on May 27. Dr Nor Rahidah said common triggers include separation anxiety in younger children, peer-related stress such as bullying, and academic pressure - all of which have become more evident since the Covid-19 pandemic. "Post-pandemic, many students are struggling to re-adapt to school routines. Some feel overwhelmed by social situations they haven't encountered in two years,' she said, adding that prolonged online learning has also led to increased screen dependency and avoidance behaviours. Dr Nor Rahidah stressed that school refusal is often mislabelled as truancy or misconduct, leading to delayed intervention and a worsening of the child's condition. "Parents and teachers may think the child is lazy or disobedient. But when a child cries, complains of headaches, or begs not to go to school, it's usually a cry for help,' she said. She called for stronger collaboration between schools, families and healthcare providers, and stressed the need for early detection and support. "Teachers should be trained to recognise red flags. Schools must have clear referral pathways to mental health professionals,' she said. She also warned that children who remain out of school for prolonged periods face serious risks, including academic decline, social isolation and worsening mental health symptoms - in some cases, requiring hospitalisation. Dr Nor Rahidah said Hospital Permai, one of the few centres in Malaysia offering specialised child and adolescent psychiatry services, continues to see a rising number of referrals for school refusal - highlighting the urgent need for systemic support. "School refusal is a silent epidemic. We need to act now with empathy, awareness, and coordinated care,' she said during her presentation titled Unpacking School Refusal: Understanding Its Roots and Psychological Underpinnings, under the main topic Fear to Flourish: School Refusal. The three-day M-CHAMP 2025 conference, themed Mind in Bloom: Enhancing Child and Adolescent Wellbeing, ends today. It is being held at Casuarina Meru and brings together experts from across the country to share best practices and strategies for early intervention and community-based support. - BERNAMA More Like This
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mental health struggles drive rise in school refusal among children, teens
IPOH: Rising cases of school refusal among children and adolescents in Malaysia are being driven by mental health struggles such as anxiety, bullying, family conflict and depression. Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Hospital Permai Johor Bahru, Dr Nor Rahidah Abd Rahim, said the issue is often misunderstood, with many assuming that students simply 'do not want to go to school', when in fact the problem is rooted in deeper psychological issues that require clinical attention. 'Children don't refuse school without a reason. When we investigate, we often find underlying issues such as social anxiety, panic attacks, learning difficulties or even trauma,' she said during the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025, held here yesterday. Dr Nor Rahidah said common triggers include separation anxiety in younger children, peer-related stress such as bullying, and academic pressure — all of which have become more evident since the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Post-pandemic, many students are struggling to re-adapt to school routines. Some feel overwhelmed by social situations they haven't encountered in two years,' she said, adding that prolonged online learning has also led to increased screen dependency and avoidance behaviours. Dr Nor Rahidah stressed that school refusal is often mislabelled as truancy or misconduct, leading to delayed intervention and a worsening of the child's condition. 'Parents and teachers may think the child is lazy or disobedient. But when a child cries, complains of headaches, or begs not to go to school, it's usually a cry for help,' she said. She called for stronger collaboration between schools, families and healthcare providers, and stressed the need for early detection and support. 'Teachers should be trained to recognise red flags. Schools must have clear referral pathways to mental health professionals,' she said. She also warned that children who remain out of school for prolonged periods face serious risks, including academic decline, social isolation and worsening mental health symptoms — in some cases, requiring hospitalisation. Dr Nor Rahidah said Hospital Permai, one of the few centres in Malaysia offering specialised child and adolescent psychiatry services, continues to see a rising number of referrals for school refusal — highlighting the urgent need for systemic support. 'School refusal is a silent epidemic. We need to act now with empathy, awareness, and coordinated care,' she said during her presentation titled Unpacking School Refusal: Understanding Its Roots and Psychological Underpinnings, under the main topic Fear to Flourish: School Refusal. The three-day M-CHAMP 2025 conference, themed Mind in Bloom: Enhancing Child and Adolescent Wellbeing, ends today. It is being held at Casuarina Meru and brings together experts from across the country to share best practices and strategies for early intervention and community-based support.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mental health struggles drive rise in school refusal among students
IPOH: Rising cases of school refusal among children and adolescents in Malaysia are being driven by mental health struggles such as anxiety, bullying, family conflict and depression. Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Hospital Permai Johor Bahru, Dr Nor Rahidah Abd Rahim, said the issue is often misunderstood, with many assuming that students simply 'do not want to go to school', when in fact the problem is rooted in deeper psychological issues that require clinical attention. 'Children don't refuse school without a reason. When we investigate, we often find underlying issues such as social anxiety, panic attacks, learning difficulties or even trauma,' she said during the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025, held here yesterday. Dr Nor Rahidah said common triggers include separation anxiety in younger children, peer-related stress such as bullying, and academic pressure — all of which have become more evident since the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Post-pandemic, many students are struggling to re-adapt to school routines. Some feel overwhelmed by social situations they haven't encountered in two years,' she said, adding that prolonged online learning has also led to increased screen dependency and avoidance behaviours. Dr Nor Rahidah stressed that school refusal is often mislabelled as truancy or misconduct, leading to delayed intervention and a worsening of the child's condition. 'Parents and teachers may think the child is lazy or disobedient. But when a child cries, complains of headaches, or begs not to go to school, it's usually a cry for help,' she said. She called for stronger collaboration between schools, families and healthcare providers, and stressed the need for early detection and support. 'Teachers should be trained to recognise red flags. Schools must have clear referral pathways to mental health professionals,' she said. She also warned that children who remain out of school for prolonged periods face serious risks, including academic decline, social isolation and worsening mental health symptoms — in some cases, requiring hospitalisation. Dr Nor Rahidah said Hospital Permai, one of the few centres in Malaysia offering specialised child and adolescent psychiatry services, continues to see a rising number of referrals for school refusal — highlighting the urgent need for systemic support. 'School refusal is a silent epidemic. We need to act now with empathy, awareness, and coordinated care,' she said during her presentation titled Unpacking School Refusal: Understanding Its Roots and Psychological Underpinnings, under the main topic Fear to Flourish: School Refusal. The three-day M-CHAMP 2025 conference, themed Mind in Bloom: Enhancing Child and Adolescent Wellbeing, ends today. It is being held at Casuarina Meru and brings together experts from across the country to share best practices and strategies for early intervention and community-based support.
Barnama
28-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Mental Health Struggles Drive Rise In School Refusal Among Children, Teens
GENERAL Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Hospital Permai Johor Bahru, Dr Nor Rahidah Abd Rahim speaks during at the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025 yesterday. IPOH, May 28 (Bernama) -- Rising cases of school refusal among children and adolescents in Malaysia are being driven by mental health struggles such as anxiety, bullying, family conflict and depression. Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Hospital Permai Johor Bahru, Dr Nor Rahidah Abd Rahim, said the issue is often misunderstood, with many assuming that students simply 'do not want to go to school', when in fact the problem is rooted in deeper psychological issues that require clinical attention. 'Children don't refuse school without a reason. When we investigate, we often find underlying issues such as social anxiety, panic attacks, learning difficulties or even trauma,' she said during the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025, held here yesterday. Dr Nor Rahidah said common triggers include separation anxiety in younger children, peer-related stress such as bullying, and academic pressure — all of which have become more evident since the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Post-pandemic, many students are struggling to re-adapt to school routines. Some feel overwhelmed by social situations they haven't encountered in two years,' she said, adding that prolonged online learning has also led to increased screen dependency and avoidance behaviours. Dr Nor Rahidah stressed that school refusal is often mislabelled as truancy or misconduct, leading to delayed intervention and a worsening of the child's condition. 'Parents and teachers may think the child is lazy or disobedient. But when a child cries, complains of headaches, or begs not to go to school, it's usually a cry for help,' she said. She called for stronger collaboration between schools, families and healthcare providers, and stressed the need for early detection and support. 'Teachers should be trained to recognise red flags. Schools must have clear referral pathways to mental health professionals,' she said.
Barnama
27-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Parents Urged To Seek Early Mental Health Support For Children
IPOH, May 27 (Bernama) -- Parents should seek early mental health support for their children to prevent long-term emotional and developmental issues, especially amid a rise in post-pandemic psychological challenges. Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta director Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony said early intervention can make a significant difference, as young minds are more adaptable and responsive to therapy. 'Many parents hesitate because of stigma or fear of what others might say, but delaying help only makes matters worse,' he told reporters at the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025 here today. Hospital Bahagia, one of Malaysia's main psychiatric institutions, has seen a steady increase in mental health cases involving children and teenagers since the pandemic. Dr Ian said while some young patients present with conditions such as autism or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), others struggle with stress and emotional difficulties linked to academic pressure or family problems. 'The key is to identify signs early such as changes in behaviour, sudden withdrawal or difficulty coping at school,' he said. He added that no referral letter is needed to seek treatment at Hospital Bahagia, which accepts walk-in patients and is staffed by a team of specialists and medical officers. The facility also works closely with schools and receives referrals from teachers who observe behavioural changes in students. Additional child and adolescent psychiatric services are also available at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh and Taiping Hospital. Dr Ian also warned that increased screen time and social media use are emerging as significant factors in declining mental wellbeing among children and teens.
