Abstract
Depression is an emotional disease that is increasingly serious among teenagers today, mostly involving school students. This situation is very worrying when student depression can lead to worse incidents such as criminal behaviors, social problems, and suicide. Therefore, this study aims to identify the depression levels of secondary school students in North Penang, Malaysia. A total of 3932 form four students were involved as a study sample using the Depression Anxiety Stress Inventory 21 (DASS21) instrument adapted from the Ministry of Health, Malaysia (MOH). The study conducted concerning research ethics, such as obtaining permission from the Penang State Education Department, the school, and students' heirs. The result found that 72.6% of students had normal depression, and 12.5% of students found to have lite depression only. Overall, it can be concluded that most students experience depression even at the lowest level. Students need to be given due attention, including emphasizing the aspects of guidance and counseling to lead a better life in the future. Thus, preventive measures should be planned systematically. A study of the need for counseling intervention modules should be implemented to help reduce school student depression.
Highlights
The social problem is an issue that often gets attention and interest among people around the world
The analysis found that a total of 2854 students (72.6%) of secondary schools in North Penang classified as depression at a healthy level
Data analysis showed that 96 students (2.4%) have severe levels of depression
Summary
The social problem is an issue that often gets attention and interest among people around the world. The evolutionary change of world civilization from antiquity to the digital age has seen students today increasingly squeezed by various social problems [1]. This technological world's rapid pace is opening wide to students to explore and try something new without realizing that such behavior can pose a considerable risk [2]. Apart from fighting against the words of teachers and school rules, students nowadays are increasingly daring to stand out with various large-scale social problems. These people dare to smoke and bully, but some are willing to carry out criminal activities such as stealing and robbery [3]. The most worrying thing is that they can do things beyond rational thinking limits such as prostitution, abortion, and committing brutal murder [4]
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