Self Development Unit: Rising to the Challenges of Students During the Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge in education, leading to the suspension of face-to-face teaching (UNESCO, 2020). This change has been particularly challenging for all students especially those studying medical related and health science degrees in universities like IMU, since much of the learning process is based on practical applications, laboratory classes, and direct contact with lecturers and other students. This unexpected change in the teaching format has forced students to adapt to new ways of learning which may potentially affect their academic development and their mental conditions. Furthermore, the prolonged lockdown and the pandemic fatigue added on an extra stressor to the students who must now learn technological skills on top of their subject content. There was no doubt that the pandemic had put extra pressures on them. In addition to this, the students’ conventional way of reaching out for mental health support and care was also changed. The physical support was no longer available during the lockdown. Time was the essence as some of our students, especially those who were far away from their families and those who just arrived may be vulnerable to these sudden uncertainties. There was an increase in anxiety among our students who could not return home before the lockdown and were alone in their hostels. We needed to reach out to them as soon as possible and provide them a way to reach out to us whenever they need. We decided we had to convert to being fully online. Fortunately, we already had the online counselling system ready for our distance learning students in 2019 and when the lockdown happened, we immediately moved our session to online seamlessly.

During this period, we also took the opportunity to improve and enhance all our operation and administrative processes by first converting all SDU physical forms to online forms or E-forms. Simultaneously, IMU had been working towards integrated technology framework such as Sharepoint, file sharing and content collaboration which helped to align all our work more efficiently. In addition, we revamped and enhanced the SDU Website and Student Portal to ensure smooth transitions in accessing online workshops and talks when the students click on the links from their home. Great adaptations to learning new skills with a growth mindset were something all of us had to do quickly in 2020 as we had to convert all our self-development and awareness workshops and talks to online mode. Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking were also needed to engage our students virtually. The final output of our online talks and workshops for our students were done through a series of norming, storming, and forming Our programmes and activities in 2020 and 2021 are summarised in this chart below, which would be continued in 2022.

To reduce the risk factor and enhance protective factors related to mental health, we have put in place a series of outreach programmes such as the NEC briefing, NEC online session, Mental Health Week, Lunch Chat in 2021 and an upcoming event on “Chill over a Cup of Kopi.”

Additional support is given to all new faculty members under the mentor-mentee system as all mentors would undergo a compulsory training on ways to provide guidance and support for their mentees.

Extra Advocate to Mental Health Wellbeing is supported by the Peer Support Club.  Their objectives are to allow for connection and discussion on topics such as  strategies to increase students’ awareness of mental health issues, ways to provide information about available resources and methods to encourage students to seek help as soon as they need it.  They also serve as liaison between students and SDU. All Peer Supporters would undergo basic helping skills. The training will prepare the peer supporters  to reach out appropriately and with great respect to students in need of some support. The outcome is to build a mutual supportive and caring community in IMU.

We are extremely thankful to our upper management for supporting us and we were given a bigger space to serve the IMU students better and in comfort in 2020. We have also expanded our staff numbers from 5 to 7 fully certified licensed counsellors and clinical psychologists to attend to the needs of our students.

We are here to journey with you. For more information, you can email [email protected] or drop by our office on the 2nd floor, IMU Bukit Jalil campus (opposite Room 2.07.01)