{
  "id": 7920957,
  "title": "When a child does not come home",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/when-a-child-does-not-come-home-7920957",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T01:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/09/17/when-a-child-does-not-come-home"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When 17-year-old Rohan was last seen by his mother, he was still dressed in his school uniform and carrying his bag. He had left for school as usual, but never returned home. It was a shocking sight that prompted a desperate search. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened to Rohan. During his Form Four and Form Five years, he had lost a close friend when a quarrel between them led to Rohan distancing himself from the group. Friends can be crucial during difficult times. Unfortunately, Rohan had become increasingly isolated, with classmates leaving him out of games, jokes and weekend plans. Despite only minor incidents, these exclusions left him feeling invisible. In a country where one in six children aged five to 15 has mental health issues, and one in four teenagers aged 13 to 17 shows signs of depression, every child matters. The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 reveals a concerning trend: nearly half of Malaysian children experience loneliness, difficulty making friends, or bullying. Tragedies such as Rohan's are not isolated incidents. Each year, Malaysia records over 5,800 suicides, including 1,813 involving young people aged 15 to 30. World Suicide Prevention Day is a somber reminder of the mental health challenges faced by young people. While there are many risk factors, protective factors such as strong relationships and support systems can make a significant difference. Exclusions, gossip, and ridicule may not leave physical scars, but they can deeply impact a young person's emotional well-being. The solution lies in fostering a supportive environment where young people feel safe and valued. There are practical steps everyone can take. Parents should ask specific questions to understand their child's experiences, teachers and school leaders should be vigilant for signs of distress, and young people can make a difference by reaching out to those who often feel alone. Collective efforts are needed to create a safer and less isolating world for our young generation.",
  "summary": "World Suicide Prevention Day may have passed, but the question remains: what can families, schools and communities do differently to keep young people safe?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "When a child does not come home",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/when-a-child-does-not-come-home",
        "published": "2026-09-17T01:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}