“After sitting for the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) exam, I felt stressed. I was considering which university to attend once I receive my results. Moreover, I was contemplating whether to apply for a job. And if I do, should it be in my hometown or elsewhere?” Mika shared her struggles as she peers into adulthood. “Meanwhile, I’m also interested in joining a drawing competition,” added Mika, offering a glimpse into her world.
Competing priorities and uncertainty about the future, Mika’s (not her real name) worries are the reality of many youths today, affecting their mental health. It gets more challenging when the youth are misunderstood.
“When we talk about mental health, parents often think it’s related to a mental disorder or their children being weak,” shared Rudie Yaakob, Managing Director of BTOP Wellness, a social enterprise that supports youth through coaching for their physical, mental, and social well-being.
Rudie pointed out, “The challenge lies in parents’ lack of familiarity with mental health, leading to stigma. Consequently, when parents notice their children locking themselves up in their room or communicating less, they may not recognise these as signs of mental health issues.”
Students grappling with mental health challenges require a platform to express their feelings, often a daunting initial step. Rudie believed that by educating young people about mental health, they would be better prepared to support their peers in need.
Thus, the HOPE programme by BTOP Wellness comes into play.
“Presently, we have approximately 32 Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya (PRS) or peer student guides, who have completed the HOPE programme at SMK Badak in Kelantan,” Rudie shared. PRS is a Ministry of Education initiative where chosen students are trained to support peers dealing with mental health challenges. HOPE provides additional training to empower PRS students holistically, including raising awareness among the parents.
Over the course of 12 months, the HOPE programme identified 243 students in need of intervention, with 43 classified as severe cases of stress – a worrying glimpse into the state of students’ mental health in Malaysia. With the help of the trained PRS students, the intervention programme managed to turn things around at SMK Badak.
“Out of the 43 severely stressed students, nearly half showed significant improvement after completing the HOPE programme,” Rudie revealed. “We observed noticeable behavioural changes, with formerly quiet and unhappy students becoming more communicative and cheerful.” His smile broadened as he remarked, “Getting teenagers to talk isn’t easy, so I’m incredibly pleased with this progress.”
The HOPE programme is supported by Yayasan Hasanah (“Hasanah”) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, under the Hasanah Special Grant (HSG).
“Having Hasanah as a partner has empowered activists like me to make a real difference in our communities,” he explained. “It has opened doors for collaboration with the Kelantan education department, allowing us to further mobilise our initiative.”
Under its education impact area, Hasanah believes that the foundation of a thriving individual begins with well-being, including mental health.
Emily Kennington, Senior Executive, Special Project Analyst (Education) at Yayasan Hasanah expressed, “It’s important to create safe and nurturing environments, where children feel empowered to openly express their thoughts and emotions, both at home and in schools. When they do, it’s equally important to ensure that they have access to the right support.” She added, “Studies have shown that when children feel secure, their self-esteem and self-confidence flourish, allowing them to self-regulate and develop resilience.”
Alia Jannah Suhaimi, a PRS, reflected on her experience with the HOPE programme and how it developed her abilities. “HOPE exposed me to various mental health issues and taught me the importance of ethical conduct, the importance of privacy, and trained me to become a much better listener,” she shared.
For Alia, being a PRS felt natural, as her friends often confided in her about their personal struggles. She finds fulfilment in being a supportive outlet for her peers. “During recess, I choose to stay in class when it’s empty, providing a private space for my friends to come and share their problems,” she explained.
Alia expressed optimism about the future of PRS and mental health in Malaysia, where mental health is discussed in a safe environment, free from taboos. “I believe mental health cases will decrease as my generation becomes more aware through programmes like PRS,” she stated optimistically. “I hope to see more students become PRS in schools, enabling us to support each other through difficult times as peers.”