KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 ― A nationwide screening conducted by the Health Ministry has found more than 100,000 of fourth formers facing mental health issues.

According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, the biggest contributors of stress for this teenage demographic group were from personal or family problems, theSun Daily reported on its website today.

"From the screening we did in schools, more that 100,000 students have said that they have mental health issues.

"About 79 per cent of them admitted that their mental health issues are caused by either their own problems or family issues,” he was quoted saying.

According to Dr Subramaniam, Form Four students typically experience stress due to preparations for SPM school-leaving certificate examinations in Form Five and often lack adequate support from their families in coping with it.

"So we must give them empowerment through awareness and education to help them with all the challenges they face,” he was quoted saying further.

The issue was raised in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday during Question Time.