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ABSTRACT
The demands of living nowadays cause a rising number people being diagnosed as having anxiety disorders and mental health problems. A survey done by National Health and Morbidity in 2019 finds that the prevalence of mental health problems among adults in Malaysia has increased from 8.9% in 2012, to 10.7% in 2015, to 31.1 % in 2019. These anxiety disorders share similar symptoms, like nervousness, irritability, insomnia and problems concentrating, but each has its own causes. One in 12 individuals in 2012 to one in six in 2018 cases reported are among Malaysian students. These results reveal a worsening state of mental health problems especially among students in Malaysia that must be addressed. Therefore, a preliminary study was conducted among students in one of the private college. The Depression and Anxiety Scale 21 (DASS-21) inventory was used to measure the students' anxiety disorders based on three elements which are depression and anxiety. The results showed that the students are having moderate to very severe level of depression and anxiety. This finding is alarming in terms of increased risk for psychiatric morbidity because it indicates the amount of burden students have to bear in the current situation. Therefore, initiation of depression and anxiety management programs such as expanding counselling activities, providing adequate facilities and resources should be highly prioritized by authorities. Interview sessions are suggested to explore in depth on these issues.
Keywords: Psychology, Anxiety, DASS, Mental Health, Education
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, many people misunderstood the true meaning of being healthy as they thought that being healthy should be physically great and free from any illness. However, as stated from World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, mental health is best describe as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life (Harun, 2015), can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Thus, mental health is part of health and it is an irreplaceable aspect of health.
In addition, identifying anxiety levels are considered as important indicators for mental health. This emotional disorder can lead to negative outcomes, such as impaired normal functioning, burnout, and health problems. Failure to detect and address it will...