BY: MUHAMMAD FAKHROLIMAN BIN MOHD FAIZOL

SERDANG, 28 December 2024 – The Housing and Welfare Secretariat, Student Representative Council, Kolej Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), and the Institute for Social Science Studies (IPSS), UPM, successfully organized the Mindful Moments: Anxiety Awareness Series (MM:AAS). The program, held from 16 to 28 December 2024, targeted students of Kolej Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee as well as the broader UPM student community, aiming to raise awareness about anxiety and provide guidance on effective stress management strategies.

Key activities included the Managing Anxiety: Unveiling The Hidden Stressors Poster Competition, which encouraged students to creatively express their understanding of anxiety. Another highlight was the Instagram Daily Post activity held from 17 to 25 December 2024, which garnered over 2,000 participants from across UPM, reflecting the strong interest in mental health awareness.

Participants in this competition created posters showcasing their creativity by producing impactful visuals to raise awareness about anxiety.

Participants shared their insights, offering diverse perspectives on the topic of anxiety.

The program culminated in a forum titled Managing Anxiety: Unveiling The Hidden Stressors on 28 December 2024. The forum featured two expert panelists: Dr. Aini Azeeqa Binti Ma’rof, Head of the Community and Youth Well-being Laboratory, IPSS, UPM, and Dr. Aishah Siddiqah Binti Alimuddin, Medical Lecturer and Psychiatrist, FPSK, UPM. They provided insights into the symptoms, causes, and management of anxiety, leaving a significant impact on participants’ understanding of the topic.

The panel discussed how other countries address and manage anxiety issues, exploring global strategies and solutions.

Program Director Muhammad Fakhroliman Bin Mohd Faizol highlighted the success of the event, saying, “We hope that programs like this can continue in the future with longer durations and hybrid approaches to benefit even more students.” Participants also gave positive feedback, stating that they are now more aware of the importance of self-care and stress management.

With the success of this initiative, the Housing and Welfare Secretariat aims to make similar programs an annual event to empower mental health awareness among UPM students. The program is expected to bring lasting benefits to the student community and contribute to improved mental well-being.

Date of Input: 02/01/2025 | Updated: 02/01/2025 | adib