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In celebration of World Mental Health Day (WMHD) on 1-2 of November 2024, Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) held special event to support mental health of its students. With the theme "Express Yourself, Creativity for Mental Health", it presents a series of activities strengthening mental resilience, developing creativity, and increasing awareness of  mental health in boarding school.

Ustadz M. Mahrus Afif, S.Psi, as Coordinator of Thursina IIBS Student Service Center, said the major goal is to build strong mentality and tough character. "Mental health is crucial to maintain, not only for ourselves, but also for the balance of life in the school and future. We would like to create a supportive atmosphere here, where students could express themselves, recognise their potential, and process emotions in a positive way," he said.

WMHD as an opportunity for students to understand themselves better through creative approach. "We hope students would understand that creativity is not only about producing work, but a way to know oneself more deeply as well. When someone is able to be aware of their feelings and express them, it becomes the first step to be more balanced and resilient person," he explained.

On the first day, students in grades 7 and 10 joined  a mini workshop with the theme "Creative Mindset, Resilience Soul" focusing on developing a creative mindset and strengthening a resilient soul. "We designed the workshop to encourage students in dealing with challenges in life firmly. They are taught to comprehend that every problem has a soluble way. Moreover, through creativity, they could find strengths within themselves that they might be unaware," added Ustadz Mahrus.

In the next day, panel classes and more interactive festival were organised to involve students in some methods to maintain mental health. Including, art therapy and expressive writing, some techniques to channel emotions constructively. He said these approaches were designed to furnish student with firsthand experience conveying themselves.

"Art therapy has taught students that colors and images reflect their feelings. We would like them  know that every stroke they paint is part of emotion recognition process," he explained. In addition, we consider developing interpersonal skills to be necessary, especially to help them build healthy relationships with others, which they will need later in adulthood.

Ustadz Mahrus expressed his hope that the series of WMHD events are able to equip students to cope with obstacles in the future. "May Allah SWT always protect physical and mental health of Thursina IIBS students. We hope they are aware of their mental health and recognise that maintaining it is a great investment for their bright future," he said.

By celebrating WMHD, Thursina IIBS has showed its commitment to educate mentally, physically and spiritually healthy generation, thus they are ready to manage all the challenges they will encounter later. (rnw/lil)