SHAH ALAM, March 2 — The Selangor government has allocated RM1.5 million for the PeerZ mental health programme in schools this year, said state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
She said the initiative aims to improve mental health among students, with a pilot to be launched in two Bandar Utama schools.
She added that the plan focuses on raising awareness, fostering peer support, developing emotional skills, and shaping a healthier and more resilient learning environment.
“This programme also provides a platform for students to share their experiences, challenges and emotional stresses with peers in a safer and more conducive environment.
“Through this approach, students who need early support will receive emotional help and guidance from peers before being referred to school counsellors or mental health professionals, if need be,” Jamaliah told Media Selangor.
Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said around one million of Malaysians aged 16 and above are facing mental health issues.
The prevalence of mental health problems among Malaysians, including children, has risen nearly twofold to 4.6 per cent from 2019 figures, based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023.
The survey revealed that mental health issues among children aged five to 15 rose from 7.9 per cent (424,000 people) in 2019 to 16.5 per cent (922,318 people) in 2023.
