Group photo from the IPRMSA-TAR UMT academic-industry forum held on 16 April 2025.
University studies of today entail experiential learning, hands-on practices, and pushing beyond the comfort zone of in-class lessons that could sometimes impose mental stress on students.
To address this issue and help their peers manage a hectic schedule, students of the Bachelor of Public Relations (Hons) organised an academic-industry forum titled ‘Communicating Mental Health Among University Students’ in TAR UMT’s Kuala Lumpur campus on 16 April 2025.
The event was held as part of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia Student Association (IPRMSA) – TAR UMT chapter, which has been organising this annual public relations forum since 2016.
This year’s forum featured Mr Kelvin Wee Kai Wen, a certified clinical hypnotherapist, and Dr Nur Sharina binti Cik Ibrahim, a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, who shared expert insights on behavioural change and mental health coaching that help students better understand themselves and manage personal and academic challenges. The forum also touched on the importance of raising mental health awareness among the students and wider community through effective public relations strategies.
(From left) Mr Kelvin and Dr Dr Nur Sharina sharing professional insights on managing academic and personal mental challenges with forum participants.
“No consultant or guru can give you all the answers. Anxiety and depression are emotions – not disorders,” said Mr Kelvin on tertiary students’ stress, adding that young people can learn to embrace the normality of experiencing both positive and negative emotions, with the essential point of being provided an opportunity to voice these emotions in a safe space and seek help, thus creating a healthier study environment.
“Public relations play a crucial role in raising mental health awareness among the public through social media storytelling and strategic communication. Knowing how to inject emotion into people’s hearts is what turns a good practitioner into a professional one,” said Dr Nur Sharina, who added, “Be an active listener and avoid judging others. Being judgmental can lead those who are expressing their feelings to think that they are being looked at as a weak person.”
The event was led by forum advisor Dr Nadiah Abdul Aziz, Programme Leader from TAR UMT’s Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries (FCCI), and attended by approximately 150 students and lecturers.
