By Anne Das
The District-Level Mental Health Campaign, held on 24 July 2024, marked a significant milestone with the launch of the KawanBAH helpline, a vital new resource for student mental health support. Organised by Good Shepherd Services (GSS) and funded by Yayasan Hasanah and the Ministry of Finance through the Hasanah Special Grant 3.0, the event at AEON Station 18 saw enthusiastic participation from students, educators, and mental health advocates.
The KawanBAH Helpline, operational from Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM, including holidays, aims to provide essential emotional support to students. Accessible via WhatsApp at 012-775 3020, this invaluable resource will help students navigate academic and personal challenges with greater resilience.
The campaign featured student advocates and counsellors from seven secondary schools in Kinta Utara: SMK Convent, SMK Pengkalan, SMK Aminuddin Baki, SMK Seri Intan, SMK Tarcisian Convent, SMK Pusing, and SMK Sungai Pari. Ten additional schools were invited, broadening the campaign’s reach.
Throughout the day, educational presentations and engaging activities took centre stage. Student advocates set up booths featuring their mental health projects and initiatives, fostering community support. The creativity and enthusiasm displayed by the students significantly enriched the campaign.
In his address, Encik Roslan highlighted the escalating social issues within secondary schools, such as bullying and vaping, particularly in the Kinta Utara district, and advocated for comprehensive mental health support and interventions.
The campaign featured a variety of interactive activities designed to foster mental health awareness across all age groups. Attendees participated in well-being strategy sessions, interactive games, and fact/myth quizzes.
The event also included two thrilling competitions: “Most Well-Decorated Booth” and “Most Popular Booth.” SMK Aminuddin Baki earned the accolade of “Most Well-Decorated Booth,” impressing attendees with their creativity and innovative design, while SMK Tarcisian Convent was awarded the title of “Most Popular Booth,” exhibiting strong connection and appeal to the audience.
About Good Shepherd Services
Good Shepherd Services (GSS) is a not-for-profit organisation registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia with tax-exempt status. The social services of GSS in Ipoh encompass outreach programs with a primary focus on children, women, and families. Poverty reduction and gender equality are two main areas of advocacy for GSS.
For further information, please contact:
Judith Lai (Centre Manager)
Tel: 011-7003 5540 Email: judith.lai@goodshepherd.my
Syama Dhurgah Shanmugam (Assistant Manager)
Tel: 016-259 4912 Email: syama.shanmugam@goodshepherd.my
For students needing support, the KawanBAH Helpline is available via
WhatsApp at 012-775 3020 – Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM, including holidays.
