The Psychology and Counselling Section (PsyCon) organized a Psychoeducation Program on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, held at the Main Meeting Room, Faculty of Engineering, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program was successfully conducted by the Chief Psychology Officer, Ms. Saptuyah Barahim, along with Psychology Officer Ms. Fauziah Bee binti Mohd Salleh, and supported by five PsyCon trainee counsellors.
This program was specially designed to raise awareness among academic and administrative staff regarding various psychological issues commonly faced by students, including early signs of emotional distress and symptoms related to mental health. Participants were also introduced to the Mental Health Action Plan, which includes preventive, intervention, and follow-up approaches to assist individuals or groups facing psychological challenges.
Additionally, the program detailed mental health support procedures in line with best practices and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Key topics highlighted included psychological crisis management, professional referral processes, and the importance of confidentiality. Emphasis was also placed on the need to build a strong support network between staff and students with PsyCon to ensure more effective and comprehensive interventions.
The program featured several engaging sessions, including:
- Slot 1: Mental Health Action Plan & SOP – an in-depth explanation of systematic implementation steps. This was followed by an interactive sharing session titled “Understanding Student Mental Health: A Counsellor’s Perspective and Experience”, which included a Q&A session.
- Slot 2: Activities with PsyCon – which included a counselling session simulation, the interactive game Hot Potato: Emotion Edition, and a reflection session led by trainee counsellors.
Overall, the program successfully fostered open dialogue and enhanced understanding of mental health issues, while encouraging staff to be more proactive in creating a supportive environment for student well-being.
