By Jason Loh, Counsellor, Projek Perintis MINDa Pelajar, Good Shepherd Services, Malaysia
In the aftermath of the pandemic, it became clear that many students were quietly carrying emotional weight they did not know how to name. Some had lost their spark, others withdrew, and many seemed overwhelmed by challenges beyond academics. As part of the MINDa Pelajar team, and drawing from my earlier experience as a trainee counsellor during the pandemic, I saw how deeply the crisis had shaken their sense of stability, self-worth, and connection.
In 2023 and 2024, we began a journey to reconnect with these students through Projek Perintis MINDa Pelajar in four secondary schools. We witnessed firsthand the emotional struggles they faced, and it became clear that supporting mental health meant more than academic support. This project advocates a holistic approach where emotional well-being is valued as much as academic performance. We also worked with teachers and parents, encouraging them to be aware of their children’s mental health while prioritizing their own well-being and strengthening their roles as sources of support. Together, we learned the value of empathy, safe spaces, and support systems that listen and grow.
We introduced creative and reflective programs that helped students express what words often couldn’t. Activities like Manifestasi Seni, Saya Istimewa, Apa Dalam Minda Anda?, and others offered supportive, safe spaces to express, speak, and be seen. Many were guarded at first, sitting at the edges and avoiding eye contact, but gradually, openness emerged. I remember one quiet student who had barely spoken in weeks, finally saying, “I didn’t think talking would help, but I feel lighter now.” That simple sentence captured the quiet transformation we were witnessing.
Teachers, too, who were facing their own mental health challenges and burnout, began to open up. Conversations shifted from discipline to understanding student’s emotional struggles. Many started asking how they could better support students and care for themselves. A shift took place, from silence to listening, from discipline to compassion. Parents also shared how the program helped them better understand their children’s emotional needs and sparked more open conversations at home. In that process, mental health awareness slowly extended beyond the school, strengthening emotional bonds within families.
Looking back, we did not fix everything but that was never the goal. We helped students trust again, speak without fear, and believe that what they feel matters. It was not a grand solution, but it was a meaningful beginning. Personally, as a counselor and part of the team invited into their world, it was a privilege to walk alongside them.
[Learn more about the Good Shepherd mission in Malaysia here and about Good Shepherd Services here.]
