Students reflect on self-care at Mental Health Awareness Week
Students took part in various activities, including a talk that focused on practising self-care as a young working adult
“Self-care” is a buzzword in mental health discourse, but what does it really entail? This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, held from 7 to 11 October 2024, spotlighted the importance of self-care and explored what it meant for the Yale-NUS community. With activities held daily, ranging from a no-work and screen-free zone, a yoga session alongside cats, to flower arrangement sessions, the week-long event approached self-care via different dimensions of wellness. “I wanted the event to remind our students to think about caring for themselves early on, as they begin to embark on other pursuits – such as job searching. The theme was also quite relevant for our students who may sometimes find themselves prioritising work over their own well-being,” shared Thiri Yoon, Executive, Residential Life Officer and Wellness, who helmed the event with the Wellness Office.
In celebration of World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2024, a Self-Care Station was set up for students to slow down and take a break at the Cendana Courtyard. Students participated in a reflection activity that explored how they manage their emotions and the various self-care practices they and their peers follow. Students also made their own “self-care kit” by curating a bag of self-care essentials and creating a unique keychain to bring with them.
Magnus Lim and Koki Mandai (both from Class of 2025) felt that the session was a valuable reminder not to neglect personal well-being, regardless of how busy life becomes. They shared, “Self-care is not selfish. It is how we stay balanced and ready to take on whatever life throws at us next. They don’t have to be big things and can be done even through the smallest ways such as lighting up your favourite scented candle or watching a Netflix series you like. The Self-Care Station today reminded us not to neglect our physical and emotional health, even amid our hectic semester!”
The week concluded with a light-hearted lunch conversation session where young staff members from the Student Affairs Office and students discussed what self-care can look like in the workplace. The staff, many of whom are graduates from Yale-NUS College, shared their personal experiences navigating the start of their careers and how they found ways to practise self-care. Some ways include journalling, working out, and engaging in something intellectually stimulating – such as taking language classes.
During the session, Ashley Yong, Senior Executive, Residential Education and Dispute Resolution, also shared that the most important thing that helped her in her self-care journey was letting go of fixed notions of how self-care should look. “I thought that self-care had to look like those magical and sparkling posts I see on Instagram. Once I shed those expectations and allowed myself to do what I wanted without attaching any blame, judgment, or shame, I found that I could better manage my self-care practices.”
The session also covered practical topics related to budgeting and managing friendships after graduation. Reflecting on the session, Linh Nguyen (Class of 2025) found it poignant to remember that self-care is a very personal concept. “The talk was also really helpful in providing me with practical tips to take care of myself both physically and mentally, and how to prioritise myself during stressful times!” she added.
The Yale-NUS Wellness Office organises Mental Health Awareness Week every year. As a Student Associate (SA) on the committee, Lydia Spencer (Class of 2025) reflected, “Mental Health Awareness Week is a great opportunity to engage with the College community and bring something positive into the semester. I think the process of working in the Wellness Office also really encourages reflection on my well-being. By thinking about what helps me to stay joyful and balanced on campus, I can then apply that reflection to the planning of events to cater to other students.”
The activities in this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week aimed to help students understand that self-care should be a priority. Thiri noted, “Self-care should be a consistent and personal journey for everyone. By embracing this mindset, we can help create a more supportive community.”
