Battling Bullying in Schools: Insights from a Mental Health Specialist

Recently, I had the privilege of being contacted by a group of young entrepreneurs from JCI Klang and Dr Madalene Ong, president of Mind Body Medicine Practitioner Association. This dedicated group is committed to contributing to society, and as part of their efforts, they initiated a campaign to address school bullying a year ago. I was honored to be invited as a speaker for their two-day campaign across three primary schools in Perak.

Day 1: SJK(C) Mambang Diawan

Day 2: SJK(C) Pei Yuan, SJK(C) Kampar Girl

The campaign's itinerary was engaging, commencing with an icebreaker activity featuring the popular song 周星翅 by the SteadyGang. This was followed by an educational segment on bullying awareness and management, facilitated through interactive activities with the students. Additionally, a session was conducted to assist the children in visualizing their aspirations and fostering creativity to pursue their dreams. It was evident that the students thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from the program.

Throughout my involvement in the field of mental health, my guiding principle has always been to assist those in need. I have found great fulfillment in dedicating my time and resources to this area. It brings me immense joy to share knowledge on mental health and support individuals in navigating their mental health challenges.

Upon reflecting on the two-day campaign in Perak, it became clear that educating our youth about mental health is a pressing necessity. The students actively participated in the sessions and engaged in the activities with enthusiasm. However, I also encountered instances of abuse and bullying within the young community, underscoring the importance of addressing these issues promptly.

Upon entering the mental health field, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the profound complexity of this subject. I now realize the limitations of my previous approach, where I provided advice to others based solely on my personal experiences. I have learned that mental health issues are often multifaceted and not always immediately apparent. It is crucial to acknowledge that we may not possess the necessary training to effectively address mental health problems, and our well-meaning interventions may inadvertently worsen an individual's struggles.

Once again, commendations to the dedicated team of young individuals from JCI Klang. Keep up the commendable work, and I hope to have more opportunities to join your team in spreading love and assisting more people. Enjoy the videos and photos!