In 2023, 4,994 cases of bullying in school were reported, a stark increase from 3,887 in 2022.
And what about those that go unreported?
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has emphasised the need for greater transparency in handling bullying cases and urged school administrators not to conceal the incidents.
To be fair, the ministry has been addressing the issue by increasing the number of school counsellors and implementing guidelines for managing bullying and sexual harassment.
But cases keep cropping up. Perhaps there needs to be a multi-ministry approach.
Studies have shown that children who experience violence, neglect or lack of attention at home may exhibit bullying behaviour to express their frustrations or seek control.
Peer pressure and the desire to fit in with a group can also cause children to bully others.
Some children do it to feel more powerful or to compensate for their insecurities and low self-esteem, or it could be a way to assert dominance and control over their peers.
Envy of others' appearance, abilities or possessions can drive children to bully.
Children who struggle to understand or relate to the feelings of others may bully without recognising the harm they are causing.
Strangely, sometimes children bully others out of boredom or a need for excitement and stimulation.
In Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj Chandrasekaran's collection of essays published in his new book, A Journey through Mental Health and Society, he lays bare the situations of adolescents in Malay-sia trapped in the shadows of mental health.
Citing statistics from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, he says one million people, or 4.6 per cent of people aged 16 and above, displayed symptoms of depression.
This was double the figures from the survey in 2019, where some 500,000 people had thoughts of hurting themselves or being better off dead.
These figures underscore the urgent need for mental health support and interventions.
Addressing these issues involves promoting a safe psychological environment and implementing targeted mental health programmes and policies by boosting mental health services, school-based mental health programmes, community support and awareness campaigns, and early intervention and prevention.
But the issue is easier said than done because of the access to social media at a young age.
While social media has become an integral part of our lives, it also has a dark side that feeds into our worst impulses, increasing frustration and anger. It can be an angry place, so to speak.
Dr Andrew advocates for early intervention through school mental health screenings and teacher training.
Perhaps legislation ought to be put in place to mete out severe penalties to the perpetrators and offer protection to victims.
A collaborative approach involving government, healthcare, schools, and caregiver organisations could lead to establishing a mental health commission.
This may prove to be a viable option.
The question isn't whether we can afford to implement these measures, but can we afford not to?
Each day of delay potentially results in more children experiencing bullying.
* The writer is a former Bernama chief executive officer and editor-in-chief