JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 19 — The Inclusivity and Wellness Unit of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in collaboration with Mentari Johor Bahru and the Psychiatry Department of Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) Johor Bahru, successfully organised the Certification Programme of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT 2025): From Overwhelmed to Overpowered on 19 November 2025. Held at Seminar Room 2, Language Academy FSSH, the event gathered 82 final year Psychology students from the School of Human Resource and Psychology (SHARPS) FSSH.

The programme was supported by twelve staff members from Mentari Johor Bahru, four postgraduate facilitators, and five FSSH staff who assisted with the planning and smooth execution of the event. Led by psychiatrist Dr. Marina Abd Rahman Sabri of HSA, the full-day programme centred on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a contemporary psychological approach that teaches individuals to develop psychological flexibility, manage stress effectively, and make decisions aligned with personal values. The event aimed to offer students practical strategies for navigating academic, social, and personal challenges.

As an ACT-based intervention grounded in evidence-based psychological practices, this certification provided substantial benefits to UTM’s final-year Psychology students. Participants gained practical competencies in applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques, which an increasingly relevant approach in mental health support and behaviour change.

The hands-on modules enhanced their readiness for internship placement, community mental health work, and industry-based helping professions, while also strengthening key professional attributes such as psychological flexibility, emotional resilience, and client engagement skills. Importantly, the programme aligns with the field’s evolving demands by equipping future graduates with therapeutic competencies that complement theoretical knowledge, ultimately improving their employability and preparedness as emerging mental health practitioners.

The day began with an energetic ice-breaking activity, “Stand Up If…”, which encouraged students to recognise shared experiences through a series of relatable statements. The light-hearted exercise helped ease early tension and underscored a key message of the programme—that many emotional struggles are common and manageable when students feel connected and supported.

The first main session, “Overview of Mental Health,” featured a concise yet impactful presentation by Dr. Marina. She highlighted essential concepts such as emotional regulation, mindfulness, and the importance of responding to thoughts rather than being controlled by them. Students learned how ACT encourages individuals to view thoughts as temporary experiences, reducing the influence of stress, anxiety, or self-doubt on behaviour and decision-making.

One of the programme’s most engaging segments was the Escape Room Game. Divided into six groups, students worked collaboratively to solve puzzles under time pressure. The activity, while fun and competitive, offered experiential lessons tied to ACT principles. Students had the opportunity to observe their reactions to stress, practise mindfulness in challenging situations, and strengthen communication skills. A reflection session following the activity allowed participants to share insights on how pressure affected their decision-making and how grounding techniques helped them stay focused.

The session “Opening Up to the Present Moment” deepened participants’ self-awareness through a symbolic balloon exercise. Students wrote overwhelming thoughts on inflated balloons and reflected on the physical discomfort of holding them—paralleling the emotional strain of carrying unacknowledged feelings. The exercise emphasised the importance of accepting rather than suppressing emotions, one of ACT’s core teachings.

In the final activity, “Doing What Matters,” students decorated masks to represent their outward selves and their inner values. The contrast between external appearances and internal experiences prompted meaningful discussions on authenticity, societal expectations, and the pressures that often lead individuals to “mask” their true feelings. Facilitators encouraged students to make decisions rooted in their values, even in challenging situations.

Overall, the programme provided a rich and meaningful learning experience that blended creativity, reflection, and evidence-based psychological tools. Through the strong collaboration among FSSH, Mentari Johor Bahru, and HSA, the event successfully equipped students with essential life skills to support their mental well-being. Participants left feeling empowered, more self-aware, and better prepared to navigate the complexities of university life and beyond. This initiative also marked an important step forward in strengthening the strategic partnership between FSSH, Mentari Johor Bahru and HSA.

Moving ahead, FSSH is committed to expanding and institutionalising this collaboration to continuously enrich the learning ecosystem for Psychology students. Such cooperation integrates real-world expertise from mental health practitioners with academic training, ensuring that UTM students graduate as future-ready talents equipped with practical competencies, professional confidence, and a strong foundation in community mental health practices.

This joint effort aligns closely with UTM’s vision and mission to develop holistic, balanced, and resilient graduates who possess not only intellectual capability but also emotional intelligence, adaptability, and social responsibility.

By embedding programmes like ACT-Based Life Skills training into the educational experience, FSSH reaffirms its dedication to producing graduates who can contribute meaningfully to the nation, respond effectively to societal mental health needs, and uphold UTM’s aspiration to shape leaders and professionals of high integrity and impact.

By: Dr. Aida A.Rahman and Prof. Dr. Siti Aisyah Panatik