KOTA KINABALU: Keningau Vocational College (KVC) culinary arts student Nur Afiqa Amani Muhd Safwan Sajani was awarded the 'World Changer Award' from the Special Education Network & Inclusion Association (Senia), for her "It's Okay" project.
Senia is a global association specialising in special education, and the award is given to those who have contributed to the special needs community.
The 20-year-old expressed her joy and hoped that the recognition would bring more attention to her project, which aims to raise public awareness and improve understanding of mental health.
"There is still a significant stigma surrounding mental health in our society, making it difficult for people, including teenagers, to discuss their emotional well-being and express their worries and concerns. Many often dismiss mental health issues as mere excuses, refusing to acknowledge the validity of these feelings.
"Therefore, winning this award will hopefully draw more attention to the project, which aims to raise public awareness about mental health. This can help improve public perception and understanding of mental well-being," she said.
Afiqa launched her project called "It's Okay" early last year to help students cope with depression and extreme anxiety using socio-emotional skills.
Through this project, she successfully led her team in conducting several activities such as socio-emotional learning workshops, origami therapy, dance party, and nature walk.
The project utilises visual concepts like emojis to help students express their feelings and introduced activities such as dancing that involves physical movements and origami making that encourages creativity to help students channel their emotions.
This approach provides proper and comfortable alternatives to her special needs peers to express and channel their feelings.
KVC director Nordin Akup congratulated Afiqa and hoped that the project, which emphasises well-balanced spiritual, physical, and emotional growth, will continue to be expanded and revised to ensure students' healthy wellbeing and holistic progress.