Dear Stress, let's be friends

UTAR Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Hons) Final Year Students- Dearest18

UTAR undergraduates learnt to embrace stress positively by befriending it through a one-day stress management event called Dear Stress.

The event was held on 22 March 2018 at Sungai Long Campus. The theme of the event was “Let’s be friends”. It was organised by a group of final year students undertaking Bachelor of Corporate Communication from the Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI), in partnership with the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA). The event emphasised on educating undergraduate students to develop a positive perception towards stress.

Three speakers, namely MMHA General Secretary Datin Dr Ang Kim Teng, Corporate Communication and Sustainability of IOI Properties Group Berhad General Manager Kristine Ng and depression survivor Soh Yi Wern were invited to deliver stress-related topics. They shared on the various approaches of coping with stress and promoted awareness about subsequent stress-induced mental health issues that could occur. The event also saw activities and games that gave students a form of temporary escape to release stress. Subsequently, the organising committee and the sponsors donated a sum of RM2,000 to MMHA in support of its works.

From left: Lim Shin Sheng, Datin Dr Ang and Dr Tneh during the mock cheque presentation ceremony

During his speech, FCI Dean Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng shared the importance of addressing the issues of dealing with stress. As students are constantly exposed to academic pressure and other challenges in life, it is crucial that they learn how to cope with stress in a proper way.  

“I personally feel that stress is an important issue to be addressed because it is relevant to all of us especially university students who experience constant pressure from the demands of studies,” said Dr Tneh.

Datin Dr Ang also gave some insight on the importance of having a positive mental well-being. “Depression is very common but many people tend to hide it. It is not the end of the world as there are many ways to overcome it. Most importantly, we must recognise it, acknowledge it and seek help,” said Datin Dr Ang.

A special yoga breathing technique session was conducted by yoga instructor Ee Lee, with the aim of teaching students to develop a positive mindset through specific breathing methods. The event saw the presence of several popular local artists, such as pop duo Thomas & Jack (also known as TJ or Dong Yu Zhe in Mandarin), singer Daniel CheZi, and Hip Hop group, ManHand. 

Second from left: Group Photo with Thomas, Jack and Daniel Cheah with the students

Group Photo with Manhand 

Dear Stress is a stress management event organised by a group of final year students undertaking UTAR Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Hons) from Faculty of Creative Industries. It is supported by the Malaysia Mental Health Association and sponsored by IOI Properties Berhad, with the objective of educating students to perceive stress from a positive perspective. To find out more about Dear Stress, please visit  https://www.facebook.com/dearstress2018/.

Written by Dear Stress Publicity Team:
Loh Xue Wei & Tee Jia Yee
Department of Publicity and Marketing
Dear Stress 2018