PINTAR-UTAR Mental Health Literacy Programme (PUMP)
According to a report by the Institute of Public Health in 2015, 12.1% of Malaysian children aged between 5 and 15 years old are experiencing significant psychological distress. Teachers, as front-liners working with students, are among the personnel most likely to identify psychological challenges faced by them. However, many are not adequately trained to identify and manage children at risk of mental health issues.
PUMP is a comprehensive programme partnering with mental health professionals to train teachers and support their role in student development.
30 selected PINTAR secondary schools from five states – Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor – were part of the one-year programme aimed at, among others, improving mental health knowledge of secondary school teachers and counsellors; improving their attitudes towards mental health issues; and improving the mental health support system for adolescents by secondary school teachers and counsellors.
In 2016, focus group discussions were conducted at three of the 30 participating schools to develop a baseline of the mental literacy situation in schools, as well as assisting the module development to be utilised in training workshops from 2017 onwards.
In 2021, 60 additional counsellors, discipline teachers, and academic teachers from 15 selected schools in Kuching and Miri, Sarawak compete the programme through online sessions during the peak of the pandemic, which was key to ensuring their students had the support they need to navigate a turbulent period of time.
Programme partner
University Tunku Abdul Rahman
(Kampar campus)
In 2023, 500 students from 30 schools located in Kuching and Miri, Sarawak competed the PINTAR Young Minds Programme (PYMP), aimed to equip Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya (PRS) student groups with skills and knowledge to support their peers who may be facing mental health or academic challenges. The PINTAR Foundation teamed up with UTAR to impart essential skills, foster resilience and build a strong network within the community.
The programme covers topics such as distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, students gain valuable insights into addressing mental health challenges exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
PYMP Training Module material available here.
