SHAH ALAM - As concerns grow over rising cases of violence and emotional instability among students, mental health experts are urging parents, teachers and school authorities to pay close attention to early warning signs that may indicate deeper emotional distress or potential danger.
Malaysian Mental Health Association president Professor Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said adolescence, particularly between the ages of 12 to 19, was a sensitive developmental period marked by emotional and behavioural changes.
However, a sudden or persistent shift from normal behaviour should not be ignored.
"The emotional and behavioural components could include persistent sadness, hopelessness, irritability or frequent rage outbursts.
"Adolescents may become withdrawn from peers and family, or show dramatic changes in their circle of friends, sometimes associating with risky peer groups," he told Sinar Daily.
He said warning signs may also manifest as aggressive tendencies, bullying or talk of revenge and violence.
In some cases, there may be a preoccupation with weapons, substance use, vandalism or engagement in dangerous stunts.
"There can also be secretive behaviour, lying or a sudden drop in school performance. Some may even make threats verbally, in person, or online against their peers.
"Social media posts that romanticise violence or death or the sharing of sexually violent material involving peers are also serious red flags," he added.
He said functional changes, such as altered sleep or appetite, unexplained physical complaints or difficulty concentrating, may also point to underlying distress.
Dr Andrew said if a student talked about wanting to die or self-harm, the situation must be treated as an emergency.
He stressed that certain risk factors warranted immediate attention, including the recent death of a family member, exposure to bullying or domestic violence, ongoing family conflict, access to weapons or a history of violent or gang-related behaviour.
"When such red flags appear, the priority should be to remove the student from immediate danger. If necessary, police involvement may be required.
"Teachers should document what was said or done, who witnessed the incident and keep records secure. A proper risk assessment must be done, especially if there’s a specific threat, plan or timeline involved," he said.
He advised that urgent cases be referred to crisis services and that parents be notified promptly and factually to ensure the student’s safety.
"If suicidal or homicidal tendencies are involved, referral to a school counsellor or psychologist is critical," he said.
Children who lash out are often children in pain
Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (Miasa Malaysia) Founder and President, Anita Abu Bakar, echoed similar concerns, emphasising that children who displayed aggression or violent tendencies were not "bad children" but often children in pain.
"It’s important to begin with empathy. Many of these children have experienced distress, confusion, or deep emotional pain that hasn’t found a healthy outlet," she said.
She explained that professionals do not look for a single behaviour but rather patterns over time, such as frequent anger outbursts, impulsivity, social withdrawal or fascination with violent themes.
These patterns, she said, often stem from trauma, bullying, neglect or a lack of emotional connection either at home or in school.
"When we identify these signs, we must not label the child. Instead of asking, 'What’s wrong with this child?', we should be asking, 'What has this child gone through?'
"Early intervention, compassionate listening and building trust can make a world of difference," she said.
Anita highlighted that every child experiences emotional ups and downs, but when these changes became intense, prolonged and start to affect daily functioning, it may signal a deeper issue.
She said parents should be vigilant for signs such as withdrawal from family and friends, persistent irritability, loss of interest in usual activities or preoccupation with death or violence.
Some children, she added, may also express distress through physical symptoms like stomach aches or headaches when anxious or depressed.
In the Malaysian context, Anita said cultural expectations can sometimes make it harder for children to speak up.
"Many children fear disappointing their parents or being scolded, so they hide their emotions. Creating a home environment where they feel safe to talk without judgment or fear is one of the most powerful forms of early intervention," she said.
She urged families to move away from punishment-based responses and instead practise understanding and patience.
"Aggression in Malaysian children may appear in quieter or more culturally nuanced ways. Some may show it through bullying, defiance, sarcasm or online expressions of anger.
"Others may begin isolating themselves, showing resentment, or losing empathy towards others. In our digital world, aggression can also appear through cyberbullying or violent posts online," she added.