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    1. Home
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    3. Support & Services
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    5. Self-Development & Counselling
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    7. Helping Someone in Need

    Are You Concerned About a Friend?

    Friends are often the first person to notice that a friend is undergoing emotional struggles. If you have a gut feeling that something is not right with your friend, you can make a difference by learning the signs and ways to help by following these 3 simple steps on NEC.

    The NEC 3 Step Mental Health Support Model can help your friend.

    • Notice signs of distress
    • Express concern for your friend
    • Connect your friend to the support he/she needs

    a

    Notice

    Common signs that a friend needs help dealing with emotional or mental struggles.

    • Behavioral changes such as withdrawal, insomnia, avoidance, missing classes, lack of interest or easily irritated.
    • Emotional changes such as crying for no apparent reason, intense anxiety or nervousness.
    • Constant feelings of sadness or hopelessness and expressing thoughts of self- harm or someone else.
    • If you see your friend posting messages, photos, videos, links, comments or hashtags that suggest he/she is in emotional distress, you may reach out to your friend to express your concerns.

    c

    Express Concern

    If you noticed any signs of distress, simple question such as ‘hey, is everything OK?” Express your concern and support by:

    • Offering to talk to your friend in a safe environment.
    • Offer listening ears with empathy.

     

    b

    Connect

    If  you are not equipped to support, you may encourage your friend to seek professional help.

    • Help your friend identify sources of support.
    • Encourage your friend to seek help with SDU or offer to accompany your friend to SDU.
    • During Movement Control Order / Social Distancing, appointments may be made by calling, sending a message to SDU via email, MsTeams or WhatsApp.

    For those who are interested to reach out to your peers, please join the Peer Support Club once in IMU. 20 hours of training will be given on Basic Listening Skills and Basic suicide prevention .  The Club is a fantastic platform for you to acquire soft skills and opportunities for personal development.  The club promotes interest projects such as the Mental Health Week which fosters cross universities sharing and new friendship.

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    Peer Support Club - A Supportive Community

    The peer supporters are IMU students who are trained in basic helping skills to reach out to students with a wide range of issues. They provide a listening ear, offer support and refer fellow students to available resources.  Students can reach the team via Talk2Me email services, exclusive for IMU students. IMU Peer Support Club has been active for the past decade. With the supervision and guidance from the counsellors in Self Development Unit (SDU), they provide training and guidance to new recruits who are up for the role of becoming  peer supporters.

     

    ​One of their yearly events is the popular Mental Health Week to promote Mental Health awareness via talks, workshops, seminars and currently through webinars and lunch chat.  This is with the hope that with more awareness on Mental Health there would be less stigmatisation towards seeking for counselling. IMU Peer Support Club is open to all IMU student. You can be part of the team and be a great support for the rest.  For those who are interested to know more please drop an email at talk2me@imu.edu.my.

    Talk2Me E-mail Service

    Need someone to talk to? You may email us at Talk2Me to share with us your thoughts and feelings.

    Find out more about the details and terms and conditions. Download File