{
  "id": 10572185,
  "title": "Health Ministry expands school mental health support amid student suicide concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/health-ministry-expands-school-mental-health-support-amid-student",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-29T00:37:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/127783/health-ministry-expands-school-mental-health-support-amid-student-suicide-concerns"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has announced plans to enhance school mental health support in Malaysia, following concerns over rising student suicide rates. The expansion of counseling services aims to detect behavioral changes early and provide timely intervention for distressed students, particularly those affected by bullying. During the launch of the national-level World Self-harm Prevention Day, Dr Dzulkefly emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the issue by implementing awareness and literacy activities.\n\nThe government has also launched a national anti-bullying policy, providing a framework to tackle bullying and strengthen support for those affected. The Ministry of Health's Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services team will collaborate with affected schools and communities to conduct interventions and outreach programs. The School Health Programme will play a crucial role in promoting mental health literacy and awareness among students.\n\nDr Dzulkefly stressed the need for strategic risk communication when addressing suicidal behavior, highlighting the potential for inaccurate or poorly handled communication to have unintended negative consequences. In 2022, the National Mental Health Crisis Hotline, HEAL 15555, assisted a total of 518 suicide crisis cases, with 347 cases involving suicidal ideation receiving intervention and 171 suicide attempts referred for hospital treatment. The hotline, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, received 267,873 calls, with 82% of callers receiving emotional support and 18% receiving specific intervention from counseling psychology officers.",
  "summary": "THE Health Ministry is stepping up mental health screening and early intervention in schools as part of efforts to address suicidal behaviour among students, particularly those affected by bullying. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said ...",
  "key_points": [
    "Health Ministry to expand school mental health support in Malaysia",
    "Counseling services to detect behavioral changes early and intervene",
    "National anti-bullying policy launched to strengthen student support"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "“Serious danger to patients:\" Health Ministry shuts down private hospital in Tel Aviv",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/serious-danger-to-patients-health-ministry-shuts-down-private",
        "published": "2026-09-28T19:51:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}