KUCHING: An anti-bullying seminar titled ‘Every Child Belongs to All of Us’ was held at Kuching High School to raise awareness on bullying and youth mental health, said MBKS councillor Eric Tay.
Tay said bullying, e cigarette addiction and academic pressure are now major concerns affecting students’ wellbeing and campus safety.
The seminar, supported by Sarawak General Hospital, involved more than seven hundred students and teachers.
Psychiatrist Dr Ngau Wah Chin reminded students that bullying leaves deep psychological scars. He said many teenagers face academic pressure, family expectations and peer pressure, but lack healthy outlets to express emotions. This can lead to aggressive behaviour or withdrawal.
“A student who is bullied may look fine, but inside they face fear and anxiety. Silence does not mean the pain is gone, it means they fear being ignored,” he said. Dr Ngau urged both parents and schools to intervene early, warning that long term victims may suffer anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, and in severe cases self-harm tendencies.
In the following session, Dr Ngau also addressed the dangers of e cigarettes, describing them as “electronic drugs.” He warned that many e liquids contain harmful chemicals and even illegal substances, creating strong addiction and damaging the developing brain. His message left many students shocked.
The seminar also featured a creative sentence competition using the letters B U L L Y I N G, with fifty two teams taking part. The team ‘3E Girls’ won Best Team.
Tay reminded parents that children’s wellbeing is a shared responsibility. He said families play an important role, as children’s behaviour often reflects what they learn at home. He called for stronger cooperation between schools and parents, as well as more trained counsellors to support students’ emotional needs.
“Every properly guided child can change Sarawak’s future. Protecting children means protecting Sarawak,” Tay said.
The organising team said this seminar is part of ongoing efforts to promote mental health, prevent bullying and raise awareness of e cigarette risks in schools across Sarawak.
By Connie Chieng