PENANG, 14 July 2026 – From early May to June 2026, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the RESILIENCE@USM Programme (a university–community engagement initiative under the Division of Industry and Community Network, BJIM), conducted a series of training and capacity-building activities to strengthen school-based mental health support.

Led by Associate Professor Dr. Melissa Ng Lee Yen Abdullah from the USM School of Educational Studies (PPIP), the initiative enhanced the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations of peer supporters (Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya, PRS), enabling them to support and promote their peers’ mental well-being.

Building on the training conducted in 2025 in collaboration with Befrienders and D’Home Mental Health Association, the 2026 programme began with a series of online engagement sessions to identify PRS members’ additional training needs, deepen their understanding of peer support, and strengthen their sense of responsibility and commitment towards supporting others.

This was followed by a ‘Train-the-Trainer Workshop’ held at USM on 10 May 2026 for 45 selected PRS members from SMJK Chung Ling and SMK Convent Green Lane.

The workshop strengthened the participants’ capacity to provide peer support through four core roles: Observe (recognising signs of distress), Listen (applying active-listening skills), Support (promoting self-care and providing appropriate assistance), and Link (referring peers to counsellors and relevant support services).

To further empower PRS members and strengthen their active involvement and leadership in peer-support activities, a training session on the Development of Digital Peer Support Materials was conducted on 12 May 2026. Participants developed digital resources to educate and support peers.

In response to growing concerns about the impact of bullying and sexual harassment on adolescents’ mental health and well-being, PRS members from SMJK Chung Ling organised an awareness campaign and exhibition under the school’s Counselling Unit on 19 May 2026.

The initiative was supported by the USM RESILIENCE@USM I-PEACE outreach team, which delivered AI-supported simulation learning to strengthen students’ understanding of peer support, mental health, and anti-bullying practices while the NGO partners provided relevant expertise and connections to mental health and community-based services.

This collaboration strengthened the school’s support network and expanded the support available to students.

A major milestone of this university–community engagement project was the RESILIENCE@USM PRS Camp held on 23 May 2026, which demonstrated the empowerment of peers to support their peers.

Trained PRS leaders co-organised and facilitated structured activities for 100 PRS members, with support from the USM team and NGO partners.

The activities enabled participants to practise recognising signs of stress, active listening, self-care, peer support, and referral, while also providing feedback to strengthen their schools’ referral procedures.

The programme’s training activities also included an international seminar held on 17 June 2026, attended by 19 selected PRS leaders.

Featuring speakers from five countries, the seminar broadened peer supporters’ perspectives and introduced practical approaches related to student agency, academic stress, mental health, and psychological support services that could be applied in their peer-support roles.

Overall, the RESILIENCE@USM Programme promoted students’ well-being and strengthened their capacity to support their peers.

With the support of the Penang State Education Department (JPN), the programme brought together USM, participating schools, and mental health NGOs to strengthen mental health initiatives within the school environment.

It also contributed to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Text & Photo: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melissa Ng Lee Yen Abdullah, Psychology and Psychometric Cluster, School of Educational Studies (PPIP), USM