Psychologist Urges Moe To Form Mental Health Plan In Schools

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The Education Ministry has been urged to implement a holistic policy to address students’ psychological health, including introducing emotional education.
This followed recent violent incidents at schools, including a secondary schoolgirl fatally stabbed by her schoolmate in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, and another female student gangraped by her seniors in Malacca, among others.
Monna Ong, an associate professor of psychology, said violence in schools rarely occurs spontaneously but is often the result of long-term emotional suppression and social isolation.
“When individuals cannot find support through relationships, communication, or institutional systems, they may develop what psychologists refer to as externalising coping mechanisms, in which aggression or attempts to control others become substitutes for a sense of agency.
“Without accessible psychological support within schools, these accumulated emotions can eventually erupt into destructive behaviour.
“Unfortunately, Malaysia’s education system remains reactive rather than preventive,” she said in a statement.
Three-step system
According to Ong, who is also MCA Public Policy and People’s Livelihood Research Advisory Committee chairperson, the current system has built walls against physical dangers but continues to overlook the gradual build-up of psychological risk that often precedes violence.
She proposed a structured three-tier framework to build a culture of safety, empathy and accountability among students.
The first level, she said, should focus on training teachers to be able to do early identification and risk assessment at schools, and in “trauma-informed practices” to enable them to interpret troubling behaviour as signs of distress rather than grounds for punishment.
For the second level, Ong suggested that schools start teaching emotional education and social-emotional learning, which should include subjects such as relationship literacy, digital safety, and self-help strategies for managing stress and trauma.
“Through structured emotional education, students can develop self-awareness, learn to regulate their emotions, build empathy, and resolve interpersonal conflicts peacefully.
“Schools can also establish peer-support groups, allowing students to provide mutual guidance and strengthen the culture of trust and communication,” she said.
Adding further, Ong said the third level should focus on crisis intervention and psychological restoration, with schools having a clear response protocol on psychological first aid, coordination with authorities, and appropriate academic adjustments to protect victims from further harm.
Yesterday, a 16-year-old female student at a Bandar Utama school died after being stabbed by a 14-year-old male student using a knife.
This case came barely two weeks after another disturbing incident in Malacca, where four teenagers were arrested for allegedly raping a Form Three student in a classroom on Oct 2.
‘No blame games, let’s work together’
Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri called on all quarters to come together and find a solution to youth social issues.
While the stabbing incident was “deeply saddening and alarming”, she urged society to stop playing the blame game, as it does not help solve problems.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri“The ministry believes that families and schools must move in tandem, as children need both these institutions to be pillars of love and moral guidance.
“With the new challenges faced by parents and children today, we at the ministry will not stop in our efforts to continuously improve the delivery of our services.
“However, we cannot do this alone, as addressing these challenges requires all parties to play their respective roles - not just in strengthening policies and programmes, but also in supporting families and communities through more empathetic approaches.
“Lastly, let us all - parents, teachers, communities, and the government - see this tragedy as a call to act together.
“Pointing fingers will not solve the problem. What is needed is love, compassion, and collective action to protect and guide our younger generation,” she said. - Mkini

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