73 A REVIEW OF MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN MALAYSIA Wirawani Kamarulzaman 1 Khairul Hamimah Mohammad Jodi 1 Cluster of Education and Social Sciences, Open University Malaysia (OUM), wirawani@oum.edu.my Accepted date: 14-09-2018 Published date:15-12-2018 To cite this document: Kamarulzaman, W., & Jodi, K. H. M. (2018). A Review of Mental Illness Among Adolescent in Malaysia. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling, 3 (20), 72-81. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract: The number of mental illness issues among Malaysian adolescents has increased which leads to the necessity for further exploration of its factors. Thus, the purpose of the study is to review the cases of mental illness issues among adolescents in Malaysia and the factors that lead to such issues, as well as their signs and symptoms. The qualitative design is employed with document research method. Data on the factors and numbers of cases of teenagers’ mental health issues from journal articles, books, newspapers, and other relevant sources are analysed through a thematic and comparative approach. It was found that between 2014 and 2015, a total of 3073 cases were reported which lead to depressions. Adolescents are also found to be involved in a number of illegal and aggressive activities such as drug addictions, gambling, and damaging of property due to their mental volatility. Previous research indicated that a major factor that elicits mental illness is severe psychological trauma that a person suffered as a child due to abuse. A few recommendations are also included at the end of the paper. Keywords: Adolescents, Document Analysis, Mental Illness, Psychological Trauma, Qualitative Study ___________________________________________________________________________ Introduction Mental illness among adolescents in Malaysia is a serious issue that needs to be attended. The Health Ministry has reported that in 2015, the number of mental illness cases among 16 to 19 years old Malaysian is 29.2%, which is estimated at 4.2 million people. This indicates that 1 in 3 individuals is suffering from mental illness and that made mental illness the second highest health problem in Malaysia (Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, 2016). Moreover, it was reported that the number of mental health patients who were seeking treatment at Health Clinic (Klinik Kesihatan), Jabatan Pesakit Luar (Outpatient Department), Emergency Units and Specialist Clinics are 74,965 cases in 2015, and 76,061 in 2016 which shows an increase of 1%. The number also indicated that it was an increase of 11.2% over 2006 (Nabihah Hamid, 2017). Volume: 3 Issues: 20 [December, 2018] pp.73-82] International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling eISSN: 0128-164X Journal website: www.ijepc.com