A GROUP of psychology students have started a pioneer project in a bid to help those with mental problems.

With the mantra being “You have a problem, we’re ready to hear”, the students from SEGi College’s psychology department in Subang Jaya provide a service called Sidewalk Talk: You Talk, We Listen.

The idea is to express support and address mental health issues.

It is held on the first Sunday of each month at the Celcom Blue Cube in Sunway Pyramid, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

The group’s spokesman, Shasvini Murali, said the service is the first of its kind to be offered to the public in the country.

“This free service started at the beginning of last year, with individuals sitting down and voicing their concerns to volunteers within five to 10 minutes.

“The findings of the individuals are recorded to assist in the study of mental health issues in the country, but all the details are kept confidential,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

Those needing an ear have access to trained volunteers through the sessions, and many individuals have already participated, she said.

Meanwhile, according to Sunway University psychology lecturer Mengzhen Lim, volunteers involved in the programme are exposed to techniques of listening to what participants have to say without leaving an emotional impact on them.

“We like lending an ear to anyone just to hear what they want to say.”

The lecturer said the most common problems shared by those seeking their advice relate to households and the stress of studying.

Participants are referred to the Welfare Department, Malaysian Mental Health Association and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur if they need further assistance, Lim said.

He added that statistically speaking, specific mental health problems among students include depression ranging from one in 10 in 2011, to one in five in 2016.

Mental illness will be the second most common among Malaysians after heart problems by 2020, he said.

Get rid of the past

Meanwhile, the Sunway University Psychological Association is organising the Lovely Exhibition from October 18 to 20, where those affected by painful memories can discard belongings associated with the past.

Saying that suicide is not the answer to problems related to relationships, love, family, loss of loved ones and best friends, the exhibition aims to show that the best solution is to cast away old memories.

The solution is to donate belongings that trigger memories of a long-standing relationship that leaves you feeling empty, said Lim.

The exhibition is being held for the second time to provide moral support to individuals suffering from depression.

“At this year’s first exhibition, we managed to collect personal items from 43 women and 17 men in their 20s before they were exhibited at the university’s art gallery,” said Lim.

“Personal items in the form of stuffed bears, shirts, shoes, chains, cans of beer and many other things that can be associated with a love story are displayed in honour of their sad story.

“Also included are personal stories written by individuals, but their names and identities are not revealed.”

In that way, he said, a donor is able to express what is in the heart without taking drastic measures such as suicide. – September 9, 2019.