An increasing number of children are suffering from depression and stress, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. He cited a 2006 study on mental health which showed that 20% of children had mental health problems, compared to just 13% recorded in 1996.The adults suffering from mental health problems made up 10.6% in the 1996 study.
- This went up slightly to 11.2% in 2006, he added. “The statistics were based on a national health survey conducted every 10 years,” he said.
- Liow said that between 2004 and 2008, a total of 140,076 mental patients sought treatment from government hospitals throughout the country.
- Several states showed an increase in the number of cases; Federal Territory, Pahang, Johor and Perak, he said.
- However, Liow said this could not be interpreted as an increase in the number of mental health cases as the statistics could be due to the two mental health hospitals located in both Johor and Perak.
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