Because Feelings Matter #20: When Struggles In Childhood Go Unnoticed

Teenagers in Malaysia are increasingly struggling with mental and emotional problems. According to the recently-published National Health & Morbidity Survey - Adolescent Health Survey 2022, one in four adolescents said that they felt depressed, while one in eight had experienced suicidal thoughts, and one in 10 had attempted suicide. Meanwhile, less than a quarter of Malaysian teenagers said that their parents understood their problems and worries. What happens when children and teenagers go through emotional upheavals, without any support systems to turn to? On this episode of ‘Because Feelings Matter’, Anum Sofea Muhamad Fadzli shares how she struggled silently during childhood, and how she uses that experience today to support other families as a clinical psychologist.

‘Because Feelings Matter’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. These stories aim to normalise conversations about mental health, and to show that it’s okay to struggle emotionally and psychologically, but more importantly, to reach out for help. This series is produced in collaboration with Thrive Well.

If you need to talk about your struggles, do look for local support within your community, or call/message BuddyBear Helpline (for kids and teens) at 1800-18-2327 or message buddybear.humankind on Facebook Messenger.