Stress, anxiety, depression caused mass hysteria, says education minister

PARLIAMENT Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said that the mass hysteria that broke out in several schools in Kelantan in mid-April was caused by stress, anxiety and depression.

"Tests conducted by medical experts have found that the students fell victim to hysteria due to serious chronic stress, anxiety and depression, as well as from being under pressure," he said when replying to a question from Sim Tze Tzin (PKR-Bayan Baru).

Sim was referring to the mass hysteria that occurred at SMK Pengkalan Chepa 1 and 2, SMK Kemumin and SMK Kubang Kerman 3.

Sim wanted to know what was the cause and how it could be avoided.

Mahdzir said that as an interim measure, the schools isolated the affected students and informed their parents.

At the same time, the Kelantan education department worked with the health department to conduct emotional restoration programmes for the affected students.

Discussions were also held with the Parent-Teacher Association and the local community to look for solutions.

For the long term, the schools were told to seek expert help.

"The schools were told to seek help from those with expertise in the field like religious leaders, psychiatrists and others.

“They were also advised to take suitable action based on the recommendations of the experts," Mahdzir said.

In the incident, the affected schools had to be shut down for several days after dozens of students fell victim to mass hysteria, with many claiming to have seen supernatural entities.

Doctors and religious figures were rushed to the schools to provide help and treatment. -Mkini