Nurturing Mental Well-Being at NUMed’s World Mental Health Week 2025
At Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed), mental health matters. In conjunction with World Mental Health Day 2025, NUMed's Counsellor Dr Kesantini Athinarayanan Rao led the World Mental Health Week 2025: 5Cs of Wellbeing, held from 6–10 October.
24 October 2025
At NUMed, we know how important it is to take care of our mental health. We are always looking for ways to support each other and make sure that everyone feels equipped to handle the ups and downs of life both on and off campus.
In celebration of World Mental Health Day this year, our Counsellor, Dr Kesantini Athinarayanan Rao (Dr Kisha), hosted the World Mental Health Week 2025: 5Cs of Wellbeing from 6 to 10 October 2025. In shining a spotlight on five essential pillars — Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, and Caring — the entire campus was invited to engage in a series of activities designed to help everyone understand more about mental health, connect with each other, and learn some practical tools to improve our well-being.
"These five elements represent essential aspects of personal growth and well-being. Maintaining balance among these elements helps individuals strengthen resilience and cope more effectively with everyday challenges." shared Dr Kisha.
Each day of the week highlighted a different "C", kicking off with a dynamic session called The Clock is Ticking, whereby participants worked in teams against the clock to solve puzzles and detangle metal knots. The activity showed how we can manage pressure and work together to solve problems, even during difficult times. It served as a fun reminder that handling stress and staying focused can actually help us to grow stronger.
Other activities in the lineup were Watch Me, Ties that Bind, Moral Mania, and From Another Heart, all of which enabled participants to recognise their strengths, nurture relationships, and develop habits that facilitate long-term mental health.
One activity that really stood out was the final day’s event, which received the highest engagement from our community. From Another Heart encouraged participants to step out of their comfort zones and foster new connections. The activity challenged attendees to approach someone they didn’t know, offer a compliment, or simply start a friendly chat.
While it felt rather nerve-wracking for most participants, the majority of them shared that it felt rewarding to make someone smile. All of them were given a live succulent plant and personalised “Open When You Need” letter, which were thoughtfully prepared by Dr Kisha as a token of encouragement and self-reflection.
While the World Mental Health Week was a big highlight, our commitment to mental health extends beyond that. At NUMed, we have a strong ongoing support system in place, which includes in-house counselling services with Dr. Kisha, as well as access to psychiatrists and psychologists through occupational health referrals.
She further emphasised the importance of acknowledging our strengths and recognising our personal growth over time. “When facing challenges, it is important to accept and process emotions, rather than suppressing them, to prevent emotional overload.
“Being able to identify your triggers and developing healthy coping strategies or seeking professional support when the coping strategies do not work are vital towards maintaining overall well-being,” she said.
The World Mental Health Week 2025 at NUMed was a big success, welcoming 700 participants over the course of the week. But it does end there. We encourage everybody in our NUMed family to keep prioritising your mental health and supporting each other. And remember, that we are here for you.
