Bernama Brings Emotional Wellness, Career Guidance To Students Under Santuni MADANI Initiative

SEPANG, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) continued its commitment to community outreach under the Santuni MADANI: One Leader, One Village programme with a special guidance session for students at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Batu Laut here today.

Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said Kampung Batu Laut has been chosen as Bernama’s ‘kampung angkat’ (adopted village) under the initiative, with a variety of programmes implemented since last year involving the local community.

“Since last year, we’ve organised various programmes in Kampung Batu Laut, specifically involving the school, surau, and mosque. This time, our focus is on education, and we also aim to introduce Bernama at the grassroots level,” she said during the event.

The two-day programme, organised by Bernama’s Public Service Counselling Associates (AKRAB Bernama), featured exhibitions, psychological assessments, oxygen therapy sessions, mental health screening, and interactive tools such as the ‘feelings wheel’ to help students better understand their emotions.

Nur-ul Afida said the initiative also included bibliotherapy, psychological guidance, and interactive activities aimed at strengthening emotional intelligence and mental resilience among the students.

“From the feedback we received, these students of around 70 people, were very enthusiastic. It was something new to them, and they responded positively and cooperatively with the AKRAB Bernama team throughout the activities,” she said.

Also present were Bernama Head of Management and Finance Services Department Sharifah Zaini Syed Zain who is also Deputy Chairperson II of the Santuni MADANI programme; Head of Commercial Mastura Hassan; and Head of Corporate Affairs Mariati Mohd Arif.

Commenting on the psychological guidance sessions, Nur-ul Afida stressed the importance of early exposure to emotional management and future planning, even at the primary school level.

“At the age of 12, students should already begin thinking about their future. So when we come down with a team made up of journalists, editors, broadcast reporters, accountants, public relations officers, and librarians, we’re indirectly showing them the wide range of career prospects that exist,” she said.

She noted that in addition to career exposure, students were reminded about the importance of proper conduct on social media and avoiding negative behaviours such as bullying.

“I hope these two days of sharing by Bernama and our AKRAB team at SK Batu Laut offer at least some value to the children, something they can remember and apply for their future,” she added.

Meanwhile, Programme Coordinator and AKRAB Bernama secretary Hasnita Ibrahim expressed hope that the initiative would serve as an added boost to the efforts of teachers in nurturing their students.

“We aim to stir their emotions so they can better understand themselves, what they’re doing and why, not just act like robots or become too reliant on gadgets,” she said.

-- BERNAMA