MENTAL illness among youths has been a matter of great concern.
Understanding the urgency to address the issue, Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) and Pertubuhan Wanita Mutiara Pulau Pinang (PWMPP) jointly organised the Penang Youth Resilience Superstars (PYRS) programme.
The PYRS programme, themed ‘Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You’, was aimed at equipping youths with the right skills to cope with difficulties and rise above them. The programme is open to youths aged between 15 and 35 and is conducted in two cohorts (limited to 20 participants per cohort), until the end of October.
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the mental health issue among youths was a hot topic that was discussed in the recent Penang Legislative Assembly.
“I believe that youths can develop stronger mental and emotional resilience after participating in the PYRS programme.
“Youths who are struggling with difficulties due to negative circumstances can grow stronger, both mentally and emotionally, with resilience.
“PYRS is a resilience-building programme that develops self-esteem, self-awareness, pro-social behaviour, and other skill sets among youths.
“The programme modules are being carried out by consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, cognitive behaviour therapist and family therapist Datuk Dr Lai Fong Hwa, and IGCSE & UK curriculum consultant, behaviour management trainer and consultant, and mental health advocate Datin Indranee Liew,” Soon said.
PWMPP president Tan Lean Kee welcomed the participants at the start of the programme.
“Your attendance today and your commitment to attend the programme sessions are indeed commendable. They speak of your interest to learn and acquire new skills.
“Life is unpredictable. You can be on cloud nine one moment, and feel so lost and disheartened the next instant.
“How would you react when you are caught in a bad situation?
“Many of us may have heard or read about people succumbed to life challenges. They were unable to perform normally, became depressed, and some even ended their own lives prematurely.
“Sadly, these happened because they did not have the mental and emotional skills to cope with the bad situations that they were facing; while some may not have anyone to seek help from.
“We hope that the youths in this programme can take the opportunity to equip themselves with the necessary skills. These skills can help them navigate through life challenges, realise dreams, enrich lives, and contribute to the community and country,” she said today.
She thanked Chung Ling (Private) High School vice-principal Koh Wan Leong for his support, and for encouraging his students to attend and to understand the significance of being mentally and emotionally resilient.
She also thanked Dr Lai and Liew for their support.
Also present were PYDC general manager Dr Gwee Sai Ling and PYDC deputy general manager Ng Hooi Ting.
Visit the PYDC Facebook page for more details about the PYRS programme.
Story by Christopher Tan