The student panellists (on the left) and the expert panellists (on the right) are joined by the two forum moderators (in the centre) as they led the discussion.
Following the national academic forum on mental health and emotional resilience in schools held at TAR UMT on 22 November 2025, another related forum was held on 13 December 2025, with the focus of hearing perspectives from students. The pivotal youth dialogue titled "From Their Eyes: Student Voice Matters" brought together students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Maxwell (SMK Maxwell), Sekolah Menengah Sultan Sulaiman Terengganu, TAR UMT, and academic experts to brainstorm for the Safe School 2.0 initiative—a research-driven proposal led by TAR UMT scheduled for submission to the Ministry of Education (MOE) in early 2026.
The event marked a significant shift in policy-making, moving away from adult-centric assumptions to directly integrate the lived experiences of students into the national education reform agenda.
Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, Chairman of the TAR UMT Board of Governors, and Alumni Council, underscored the forum's importance, stating that personal experiences must be the foundation of effective policy. As the research team refines the final proposal paper—which includes 11 sections and proposed amendments to the Education Act 1996—the students’ voices will serve as the guiding evidence for a safer, more humane Malaysian school system.
Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon, member of the Board of Trustees of TARC Education Foundation, also attended the forum.
Key takeaways from the student panel included:
The Comfort Gap: Students reported feeling more comfortable sharing academic pressures and personal issues with classmates and class teachers rather than their parents, primarily to avoid adding to their parents' burdens.
The Need for Safe Spaces: A recommendation was made for schools to provide designated 'safe zones' or lounges where students can unwind and release stress if they are not yet ready to talk to an adult.
The Role of Educators: Students emphasised that a clear support system is vital, as teachers are often the first point of contact for students in distress.
Following the student sharing, a panel of experts working on the Safe School 2.0 proposal provided systemic perspectives on the issues raised:
Holistic Safety: Associate Professor Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew, the lead researcher, noted that safety must be redefined beyond physical measures, such as gates and CCTV. The new framework rests on three pillars: psychological safety, digital safety literacy, and accessible mental health support.
Psychological First Aid (PFA): Recognising that students often turn to teachers first, the proposal advocates for PFA training for all teachers, not just school counsellors, to help them identify 'quiet symptoms' such as withdrawal or irritability.
National Coordination: To address the 60% increase in students reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety, the team proposed a National School Mental Wellbeing Policy and a cross-agency council involving the MOE and Ministry of Health to provide holistic support.
Parental Literacy: Experts highlighted the need for mental health literacy programmes for parents through Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to bridge the communication gap between home and school.
The filled auditorium at the forum with Tan Sri Chan and Dato’ Dr Mah (front row sixth and fifth from right respectively)
