An interactive session encouraging students to express emotions and develop empathy, through reflective discussions and exercises during the ‘Safe Campus Begins from the Heart’ programme held at Shen Jai High School in Ipoh, Perak. — Courtesy photo
A POLICY proposal aimed at integrating psychological education and mental health support into Malaysia’s national school system is currently being drafted by Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).
The proposal − known as the “Safe School Education 2.0” framework − will be discussed in a series of academic roundtables and subsequently submitted to the Education Ministry, according to TAR UMT’s media statement.
It is a collaborative initiative between researchers from TAR UMT, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and several private universities.
TAR UMT Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew said the parties involved in the initiative hoped for mental health education to be expanded across all schools nationwide because preventing tragedies began with education and empathy.
She also urged Malaysians to pay closer attention to young people’s psychological well-being, following a surge of disturbing incidents such as school bullying, violence, sexual assault and murder.
These incidents, she said in the statement, have sounded a “serious warning for society”.
“In the age of artificial intelligence, many adolescents spend most of their time online and on social media, rarely communicating with their parents.
“When incidents occur, families would often be shocked because the warning signs were never spoken about,” Assoc Prof Ong said during the “Safe Campus Begins from the Heart” mental health awareness programme jointly organised by TAR UMT’s Counselling Department and Shen Jai High School in Ipoh, Perak.
She also said that many students might have been experiencing prolonged stress or depression without receiving support or treatment.
“In psychology, acts of aggression or violence are often a form of expression, an attempt to externalise inner pain, resentment or a sense of powerlessness,” she said.
During the workshop, students participated in interactive games and reflective activities designed to help them recognise their emotions and understand healthy ways of coping with challenges.
“Our goal is to encourage students to speak up.
“They need to know that school is a safe harbour, a place they can trust and seek help when they are struggling,” said Assoc Prof Ong.
Also present at the workshop were Shen Jai High School board chairman Ewe Sarn Yeun, board member Ng San Choi, Shen Jai principal Yeoh Lye Hock and counselling head Low Guo Nan.
Meanwhile, TAR UMT’s delegates present were Chuah Hooi Mei, Ong Moon Lim, Kong Xiang Ying, Lee Hui Chi, Ivy See Zi Ying and Joclyn Leong Fong Yi, lecturers and certified counsellors from the Social Science and Humanities Faculty, the statement added.
