CHILDREN should be encouraged to talk about their feelings and seek help when needed, as emotional awareness and kindness are important life skills that must be nurtured from a young age, says Tan Lean Kee, wife of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Tan, who is Befrienders Penang patron, said children need to understand that it is normal to experience different emotions, including fear, sadness, loneliness and worry, and that they should not keep such feelings to themselves.
“It takes courage to say, ‘I am not okay’. It takes courage to say, ‘I am afraid’. It takes courage to say, ‘I need someone to help me’.
“We must teach our children that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of courage, self-awareness and strength,” she said during the launch of Coco the Floating Coconut at Gurney Plaza today.
The event was attended by People’s Health & Emotional Wellbeing (PHEW!) founder Constance Luk, Mohd Firdaus, a representative of Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abd Rashid, representatives from Befrienders Penang, teachers, parents, educators and community partners.
Tan said the children’s storybook carries an important message about emotional well-being, kindness and the importance of reaching out for support during difficult times.
Drawing a connection between the book and the work of Befrienders Penang, she said the organisation has long provided a safe and compassionate space for individuals facing emotional challenges.
“Sometimes, being heard can make all the difference.
“Befrienders does not tell people that they must face their problems alone. Instead, it creates a safe and compassionate space where people can talk, share their feelings and know that someone is willing to listen,” she said.
Tan also stressed the importance of teaching children not only to be successful and independent, but also to be kind, compassionate and emotionally aware.
“We must teach them to notice when a friend is quiet, to ask, ‘Are you okay?’ and, most importantly, to listen without judging,” she added.
She praised the decision to convey these messages through a children’s storybook, saying stories can help start conversations that may otherwise be difficult for children and adults to have.
Tan expressed hope that Coco the Floating Coconut would reach homes, schools and libraries, helping more children understand that they are not alone and that seeking help is a positive step when facing challenges.
Meanwhile, Luk said the book was created to help children better understand and express their emotions from an early age.
She said emotional well-being is just as important as physical health, yet conversations about feelings and mental health are often overlooked, especially among young children.
“Children experience a wide range of emotions every day, but they may not always have the words to explain how they feel.
“Through Coco’s journey, we hope to create opportunities for children, parents and educators to talk openly about emotions and build a healthier understanding of mental well-being,” she said.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi, in his recorded message, said mental health should be given attention from an early age, as children may experience emotions such as fear, loneliness, anger and worry but may not always have the words to express them.
He said initiatives such as Coco the Floating Coconut could help make conversations about mental well-being more familiar and approachable.
For more information about Coco the Floating Coconut, the public can visit the official website at bit.ly/CocotheFloatingCoconut or follow Luk on Instagram at @iamconstancekay.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian