14/07/2026
Last Saturday, I had the privilege of participating in Breakfast & Chill: Talk Stress Away in the Park, organized by Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Board of Counsellors (Malaysia), MBSJ, and Relife Mental Health Clinic. It was heartening to see people from all walks of life coming together – not only to enjoy breakfast and various activities, but also to learn, connect, and simply spend time with one another.
It has been quite some time since I last participated in a community outreach programme. In fact, I found myself thinking that it was probably not since my time serving as Deputy Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni that I had been involved in something quite like this. It was, in many ways, a meaningful reminder of why community engagement continues to matter.
On behalf of NOW Wellness Centre, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Assoc Prof Dr Pei Boon and the other organizers for inviting us to be part of this meaningful initiative. Thank you also to everyone who visited our booth, shared their stories, participated in our activities, and reminded us that genuine human connection is still very much alive. I am equally grateful to my own wonderful NOW team, whose enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to serve made our participation possible.
As mental health professionals, we often speak about the importance of psychoeducation and raising awareness. Events like these remind us that supporting wellbeing is not only about sharing knowledge – it is also about creating spaces where people feel welcomed, heard, and accepted. Sometimes the greatest gift we can offer another person is simply our presence and our willingness to hold space for them, even if only for a few moments.
Our booth was built around three simple words: Pause | Reflect | Connect. We invited visitors to pause amidst the busyness of life, reflect on their own experiences, and connect – not only with themselves but also with those around them. Looking back, I realize these three words describe the spirit of the entire event. We paused to be present, reflected on what truly matters, and connected as a community.
May there be many more opportunities like this for us to come together, because wellbeing is not something we build alone. It grows through the moments we share, the conversations we have, and the spaces we create for one another.
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