Summary
Highlights
The event begins with an opening prayer by Ustaz Shahrul Anwar bin Norddin, followed by introductory remarks from Professor Madia Dr. Luutfan bin Jaiz, Dean of the Centre for General Studies and Co-Curriculum, and other esteemed guests. The program, titled 'Wacana Ilmiah,' aims to expose students to contemporary issues related to Islamic and human values, featuring three distinct slots for different courses.
Professor Madia Dr. Luutfan bin Jaiz delivers an opening speech on the theme 'Building Resilient Students: The Role of Psychology and Sociology in Empowering Mental Health.' He emphasizes the importance of moral integrity, ethical behavior, and comprehensive self-understanding beyond academics, encompassing psychological and sociological aspects. He notes the increasing mental health challenges among youth due to social media, academic pressures, and future uncertainties, stressing that resilience is about the ability to recover and adapt.
Dr. Nazirah binti Ahmad Basri, a clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, Kulliyyah of Medicine, IIUM, is introduced. Her extensive background includes a PhD in health and behavioral sciences from Kyushu University, Japan, and a Master's in clinical psychology from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. With 8 years of professional experience, she specializes in psychological assessment, psychotherapy, and clinical supervision.
Dr. Nazirah shares her personal journey, illustrating the development of resilience through diverse experiences, including living abroad, facing bullying, and adapting to different cultures. She highlights how life's challenges, both personal and professional, have shaped her deep understanding of human psychology and empathy. Her experiences underscore that learning extends beyond the classroom and that self-awareness, embracing vulnerabilities, and self-compassion are crucial for mental well-being.
Dr. Nazirah discusses alarming statistics on mental health in Malaysia, revealing that over 1 million Malaysians aged 15 and above experience depression. A significant percentage of youth have contemplated self-harm, and school refusal has become a major issue post-pandemic. She also addresses the growing problem of internet gaming disorder and the negative impact of excessive screen time on communication and social interaction, affecting both children and adults.
Dr. Nazirah presents a case study of 'Tina,' a 35-year-old professional woman, mother, and wife struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. Tina's trauma stemmed from her childhood, witnessing her father's verbal abuse towards her mother, which led to her seeking solace in cyber cafes and developing an addiction to pornography. This addiction created deep internal conflict, affecting her relationships and mental state. Tina's journey to healing emphasized understanding psychological issues beyond superficial diagnoses and seeking professional help for deep-seated problems.
Dr. Nazirah explains her approach using 'Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy' (TIIP), which integrates psychological principles with Islamic teachings. This model focuses on balancing four components: Aql (cognition), Nafs (behavioral tendencies), Ihsas (emotions), and Roh (spirituality). Achieving equilibrium in these areas leads to a 'salim kalb' (tranquil heart). She emphasizes identifying dominant problems within these components and working towards moderation to foster a healthy self-esteem and prevent extreme behaviors.
A key concept discussed is recognizing what is within our control versus what is not. While external factors and past events are often beyond our influence, our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are manageable. Dr. Nazirah advises pausing and reflecting on emotions, acknowledging them without immediate, impulsive reactions. This self-control, she states, aligns with Islamic teachings, where accountability is tied to our responses rather than initial thoughts or feelings. She also highlights various coping strategies, including emotional expression, problem-solving, avoidance, meaning-making, spirituality, and social support.
Dr. Nazirah provides a checklist for mental well-being, encouraging self-assessment on curiosity to learn new things, ability to build new relationships, adaptability to change, healthy emotional expression, and contribution to others. She defines mental health, according to the WHO, as a state of well-being where individuals realize their potential, manage stress, work productively, and contribute to their community. The session concludes with a prayer for a tranquil soul and gratitude to Dr. Nazirah for her insightful sharing, reminding students about their assignments and the importance of seeking professional help.