Students cannot cope

Star, 25/11/01

Teenagers between 15 and 17 years old are at risk of developing depression and may lack the crucial skills they need to deal with the pressures of life.

Malaysian Mental Health Association vice-president and clinical psychologist Dr Teoh Hsien Jin said teenagers in this age group were preparing for early adulthood, relationships and eventually, marriage.

"It is therefore very important that these teenagers be equipped with the necessary skills to deal with life, particularly peer, parental and academic pressure, and relationships with the opposite sex," he said.

According to Dr Teoh, teenagers were suffering from increasing stress at school as well as at home.

"Parents are spending more than ever on their children's education, and they expect them to perform accordingly."

"Teachers expect all their students to be high achievers. However, the fact remains that not all students will do well."

"Those who fall short of expectations may suffer from low self-esteem and depression. Some may even commit suicide."

Dr Teoh said that at school, teenagers are faced with peer pressure which dictates who they are to be seen with, which mobile phones to use, and even which kinds of food to eat.

Although these issues may seem trivial to adults, Dr Teoh warned that not knowing how to cope with such pressures can lead to bad and, sometimes, dangerous decisions, including succumbing to taking drugs, smoking, drinking and cybersex.

"Considering the lack of such skills, it is not surprising that as adults, people tend to latch on to the first person who gives them intimacy and affection without thinking about the consequences, which includes unsafe sex and unwanted pregnancies," said Dr Teoh