Sibu MP urges holistic mental health approach for youths facing modern stressors

SIBU (Oct 6): A new, more holistic approach to mental health is urgently needed as children and adolescents face unprecedented stressors in the fast-paced, high-pressure digital age.

In stating this, Sibu MP Oscar Ling stressed that focusing on physical health is no longer sufficient in regards to the well-being of youths.

“Social media, academic pressure, and ever changing family dynamics have added to the traditional stressors of childhood. These challenges underscore the urgent need for a more comprehensive approach to mental health,” he said in his speech during the Paediatrics and Child Health Subspecialty dinner at a leading hotel here on Friday.

Thus, Ling called for greater investment in mental health support, emphasising the importance of developing tools and strategies that help youths to navigate through emotional challenges and build resilience.

“Our approach to mental health must shift towards prevention, early intervention, and create a supportive environment where children feel safe to express their feelings and vulnerabilities,” he said, adding that such an initiative requires the collaboration of various governmental and non-governmental agencies.

Earlier, a pre-dinner talk was delivered by Dr Haiza Hani Hamidon entitled ‘Why Paediatrics and Child Health?’, as Prof Dr Toh Teck Hock chaired the session.