IPOH, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) will mobilise the ‘Counsellor on Wheels’ (COW) team to help educational institutions address the increasingly serious issue of bullying through prevention, counselling, and early intervention approaches.
Its vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff, said the university possesses expertise in counselling, psychology, education, and character development that can be utilised to address the issue.
"UPSI will send a counselling team to Kuantan and Batu Pahat to assist educational institutions in addressing the latest bullying cases.
"The approach to tackling bullying needs to be implemented comprehensively and not just to rely on actions after an incident occurs," he said in a statement today.
He said that the directive to mobilise the COW is one of the main steps to strengthen the university's contribution to society, particularly in ensuring that the school and institutional environment in the Ipoh area remains safe and conducive.
Additionally, Md Amin said the COW team will help implement awareness and anti-bullying education programmes involving students, teachers, counsellors and local institution management.
"The approach of counselling and rehabilitation is also specifically provided to bullying victims to help them manage emotional effects and rebuild their self-confidence," he said.
Commenting further, he said that bullying should not be viewed merely as a disciplinary issue because it is related to emotional, psychological and social aspects as well as the character developments of students.
He said that the formation of a culture of mutual respect, empathy, manners, and responsibility needs to start from school with the involvement of various parties, including the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG).
Meanwhile, UPSI Counselling Centre director Dr. Pau Kee said that so far the COW programme has reached 38 locations involving collaboration with various agencies, communities and schools.
He also said that 10,350 individuals have benefitted from the service, which has also received Malaysian Book of Records recognition as the First Mobile Mental Health Counselling Programme in the country.
"Among the services offered are individual counselling sessions, group support, mental wellness screenings, psychological assessments, as well as psychoeducational programmes for bullying prevention and anti-sexual harassment," he added.
-- BERNAMA