Monday, March 10, 2014

Counselling cases rising in TU

The importance of mental health in Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus is a responsibility of and by the students themselves, the staff and the members of the Counselling and Psychological Services Centre (CPSC).

The cases that have been handled in CPSC so far has gone up about 1,200 cases in 2013 from the 1,000 cases in 2012. The cases includes Taylor’s University’s (TU) staff and students. The major cases for students so far were, adapting to university life, relationships and academic performances.

Marian Elizabeth Arumugam, 54, Manager of
CPSC and Health Services Centre (HSC) said that the increase is due to the new batches of students who joined in TU last year.

She said, another common case is helicopter parenting, whereby the parents are constantly doing all or most of the thinking and suggestion on how and what their child should be doing. Once their child is in university, she or he may not have an easy start with doing things on their own because they are used being dependent on their guardians.


Parents have to understand that there will be a time they have to let go and let their child experience things on their own. Or how else will they learn to be independent?

Marian confirms that there is a stigma over the prominence of mental health (counseling) in Malaysia, as many locals are taught to not ‘talk it out’ or speak their mind; probably over the practice of conservativeness in the country.

“That is why some students who have trouble, do not approach us but we cannot force them to come to us as well, only when they are ready, we can help them.


“Mental health all comes down to how one think and feel about a particular situation. Which in turn, affects one’s behavior and attitude towards the situation.

“Mental wellness is a state of how we overcome challenges, how rationally we approach the problem, how emotionally resilience we are during stressful moments and choosing to either fight or flight (running away or face it) in response to the problem.

She also mentioned that stress is normal and natural, it happens when we are in a position that challenges us or frightens us, it all depends on how the recipient sees and think of it (the problem or situation).

Being stress can make us worked up but how we respond to it is another story. She said, see the good and beneficial part of a situation, it will help with dealing with it.

Marian shares her thoughts on how mental wellness can be achieved:

“A simple step is (to face our challenges) by living in the here and now. Take each thing (you have to handle) step-by-step, why worry about the future as it has yet to happen. The future will settle itself.

“Be flexible with your thinking and adapt.

“Engage yourself socially, positive and healthy relationships (mix with a crowd that supports you and cares for you).

“Have a bedtime routine, having a good rest can affect one’s brain’s performance.

“Have a balance with work and leisure.

“Nutrition, have one proper meal a day.


“Physical exercise, should be incorporated on a weekly basis, at least three times a week.” she added.

No comments:

Post a Comment