Monday April 12, 2010 MYT 2:35:00 PM
20% of children suffering stress and depression: Liow
By LEE YUK PENG

KUALA LUMPUR: Statistics show that an increasing number of children are suffering from depression and stress, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

A study on mental health conducted in 2006 showed that 20.32% of children have mental health problems compared to just 13% in 1996, Liow said in his reply to Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim Fikri (BN - Kuala Nerus).

The statistics were based on a national health survey conducted every 10 years, including on mental health, he said.

Liow said between 2004 and 2008, a total of 140,076 mental patients sought treatment from government hospitals throughout the country.

He also said the figures excluded those who sought treatment from private hospitals.

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.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/12/nation/20100412143813&sec=nation