SHAH ALAM, July 14 — All school students should be required to attend at least one counselling session or psychological assessment each year to enable the early detection of mental health issues, emotional distress and aggressive behaviour, according to an expert.
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) psychology and counselling expert Prof Dr Mohammad Aziz Shah Mohamed Arip said the approach is necessary because counselling services are currently used mainly by students who are aware that they need help, while many at-risk students do not voluntarily seek assistance.
He said implementing the sessions on a rotational basis would ensure that every student undergoes an assessment at least once a year before being identified for further intervention or monitoring, if necessary.
“We need to make it compulsory for all students to attend at least one counselling session each year. If there are 200 students, the sessions can be conducted in stages.
“Only those identified as needing help would then undergo follow-up sessions,” he told Media Selangor.
Mohammad Aziz said existing mental health screening methods, such as questionnaires, should continue to be used but should not serve as the sole assessment tool, as some students may manipulate their responses.
Instead, he suggested that teachers and counsellors adopt a combination of methods, including interviews, behavioural observations, analysis of student records and activities such as projective drawing, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a student's psychological condition.
He added that information from peers is equally important, as classmates are often the first to notice behavioural changes.
“That is why the role of peer counsellors is crucial. They can alert teachers if they notice their friends beginning to show signs such as self-harm or other worrying behavioural changes.
“A close relationship between teachers and students is also essential. When students trust their teachers, they are more likely to come forward and share their problems before the situation becomes more serious,” he said.
Mohammad Aziz said early warning signs that require attention include prolonged sadness, excessive anxiety, uncontrollable anger, tendencies towards self-harm, thoughts of harming others, and symptoms of hallucinations or delusions.
He stressed that most mental health crises do not occur suddenly but develop over a long period before reaching a critical stage.
“A student who acts out of control and ends up harming others or taking their own life does not change in a day or a week. The warning signs have usually been present for a long time and, if left unaddressed, will worsen before eventually erupting.
“Prevention is always better than treatment. Once a case becomes chronic, intervention takes much longer,” he said.
Mohammad Aziz also praised the Selangor government for actively organising advocacy programmes on bullying and mental health in schools.
According to him, such initiatives should be carried out consistently as they help foster a culture of mutual support, strengthen empathy and encourage students to seek help when facing emotional distress or bullying.
“Congratulations to Selangor. This is the approach that must continue.
“Many people say anti-bullying programmes are organised every year but bullying cases still occur. In my view, that is precisely why such programmes must continue. If we stop implementing them, the situation could become even worse.
“Awareness programmes must touch the heart, not merely provide knowledge. When they are delivered with compassion and reinforced consistently, only then can behavioural change take place,” he said.
