In conjunction with World Mental Health Day, WOU’s School of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences (SEHS) hosted a special programme aimed at raising awareness on mental health, welcoming 80 students and teachers from Penang Free School (PFS) on 25 October 2024.
This initiative, a collaboration between PFS and SEHS’s Psychology Unit, underscores both institutions’ commitment to promoting emotional well-being and personal growth in young people.
In his welcome speech, WOU’s Associate Vice Chancellor, Prof Ts Yap Eng Hwa, highlighted the importance of focusing on mental wellness to ensure the balanced and healthy development of all students. He called for educators, parents, and students to prioritise mental health within schools and educational settings, echoing the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day: “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace”.
Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, which revealed a worrying rise in mental health issues among youth, Prof Yap stressed, “The doubling of mental health problems over the past four years is a wake-up call. It underscores the urgent need to focus on mental health, especially among our youth, to ensure they receive the support and resources necessary to navigate these challenges.”
Dr Siti Rohana Binti Abdul Hadi, a psychiatrist from Penang General Hospital, then captivated the audience with thought-provoking insights into the state of mental health today. Her talk addressed the challenges faced by today’s youth and offered practical strategies for students to protect and improve their emotional well-being.
To further encourage self-reflection and self-discovery on mental health, the event continued with interactive workshops, including group discussions and mindfulness activities facilitated by WOU’s Student Council. These sessions not only encouraged healthy peer engagement but successfully ignited the creativity of these vibrant youths.
A special tour of WOU’s main campus, led by Irmadura Ramli, Programme Lead for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology, gave students an introduction to WOU’s open distance learning (ODL) experience and a firsthand look at the resources available to support their academic journey.
