By : Mrs. Wan Azurani binti Wan Ahmad _^K.B.;P.A.

SERDANG, May 29 - The Counselling Division of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), in collaboration with the management of College 14, successfully organized a roadshow program titled SELF-HEALING THERAPY: Falling in Love with Myself on May 15, 2025. The event was held at Dewan Putra 2, College 14, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM, and focused on raising mental health awareness and providing early self-intervention techniques to help students manage mental health challenges.

Participants included students from College 14 and surrounding residential colleges. They had the opportunity to take part in various booth activities, including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) screening to assess their mental health, and received psychoeducational resources on personal well-being and daily stress management strategies.

Following the booth session, participants engaged in an interactive and relaxed hands-on session with UPM counsellors. These small-group activities aimed to provide clearer and more practical guidance to participants. During these sessions, students learned key self-intervention techniques such as deep breathing to calm the nervous system, the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to restore present-moment awareness, and healing mandala art, which allows emotional expression through color and creativity.

The program aimed to cultivate early awareness about the importance of self-love and self-understanding, while equipping students with practical tools to handle anxiety-related situations, such as panic attacks, tightness in the chest, restlessness, and other forms of emotional distress.

This initiative also created a safe space for students to meet with counsellors, access information, and receive psychological support without judgment. Through a relaxed and approachable format, the organizers emphasized that students are not alone in facing stress, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

To encourage participation, a variety of attractive prizes were given to students who actively engaged in the program.

Through initiatives like this, BKUPM remains committed to promoting holistic well-being within the UPM community and continues to play an active role in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health both on campus and in the broader society. The positive response to this first SELF-HEALING THERAPY roadshow with College 14 highlights its potential as a continuing outreach platform for BKUPM to connect with residential colleges, helping students build healthier and more positive lifestyles.

Date of Input: 31/05/2025 | Updated: 31/05/2025 | ayna