(Ipoh, 5th) Datuk Dr. Ong Siew Siew, Associate Professor at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) and a psychology expert, stated that today’s children grow up in an environment vastly different from that of their parents. In the digital age, young people are constantly influenced—often subtly—by online content, making youth mental health an increasingly critical issue.
She noted that the recent rise in cases involving youth suicide and violent incidents has sounded a serious alarm, highlighting the urgent need for society to pay closer attention to the mental wellbeing of adolescents.
Dr. Ong explained that many teenagers spend more time engaging with the internet and far less time communicating with their parents. As a result, when incidents occur, parents are often caught off guard. In reality, many of these youths may have been struggling with psychological distress for some time, and prolonged neglect can lead to alarming outcomes.
“When a teenager lashes out or becomes aggressive, it is often a reflection of their inner emotional turmoil—whether a sense of resentment toward the world, or a desire to prove they are stronger than others,” she said.
She shared these insights during the “Safe Campus Begins with the Heart” series event, specifically the workshop titled “Resonance of the Heart: From Self-Awareness to Self-Healing,” held today at Sam Tet Secondary School’s counseling department in Ipoh.
She emphasized that once a mental health issue reaches a breaking point, it can become uncontrollable and may result in tragedy. Therefore, prevention is crucial, and education plays a vital role. She stressed that effective collaboration between parents and schools can greatly enhance early intervention efforts.
She explained that this is the first time the TAR UMT Counseling and Psychology Department has conducted an outreach program outside the university, bringing a workshop to Sam Tet Secondary School. In addition to the lecture, the team hopes that interactive games will help students better recognize their emotions and learn healthy ways to cope with challenges.
She encouraged students to express themselves when facing problems, noting that school is a safe space and speaking up is a healthy form of seeking help.
She also revealed that TAR UMT is currently drafting the “Safe Campus Education 2.0” initiative, which aims to review existing school safety frameworks and psychological education needs nationwide. The research will be conducted in collaboration with scholars from the University of Malaya, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, the International Islamic University Malaysia, and several private universities. The findings and recommendations will later be submitted to the Ministry of Education.
Earlier, during her summary at the opening ceremony of the “Resonance of the Heart: From Self-Awareness to Self-Healing” workshop, Dr. Ong explained that our minds can also “fall ill,” experiencing emotions such as anger, frustration, sadness, and distress. Being aware of these emotions is the first step toward healing.
She highlighted that emotions need to be expressed so that others can offer appropriate support. She encouraged students to seek help from parents, friends, or teachers when needed, reminding them that expressing emotions is an important step toward self-understanding and that caring for one’s mental health is not selfish.
She added that staying calm during difficult moments is essential, and deep breathing—an evidence-based psychological technique—can help regulate emotions. No one can be happy every day; when emotions arise, it is okay to pause, breathe deeply, and reassure oneself: “It’s alright. I’ve tried my best, and I will do better next time.”
“We must learn to be kinder to ourselves instead of being overly self-critical. Everyone is unique, and recognizing our own strengths helps us develop self-acceptance. The more we understand ourselves, the more we will appreciate who we are.”
Dr. Ong led four registered counselors and lecturers from TAR UMT’s Counseling and Psychology Department to conduct the mental health workshop for both lower and upper secondary students, benefiting more than 550 participants.
Attendees included Sam Tet Secondary School Board Chairman Yew Shang Wan, board member Ng Siew Chai, Principal Yeoh Lai Fook, Counseling Head Lau Kok Nam, TAR UMT Senior Lecturer Chua Hui Mei, lecturers Wong Wen Lin, part-time lecturers Lee Hui Qi and Choo Tze Ying, and counselor Kong Xiang Ying.
