At Epsom College Malaysia, we believe that preparing students for the future means more than achieving academic success. It also means helping them develop resilience, compassion and the confidence to support themselves and others. On 10 September, our school community came together for Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, guided by the powerful theme: “You Matter. You Belong. You’re Not Alone.”
The day was about creating awareness, encouraging meaningful conversations and reminding our students that reaching out for support is a strength, not a weakness.
Our youngest students in Prep School took part in a creative finger-painting activity, adding their fingerprints to a shared canvas as a colourful symbol of friendship and support. It was a simple activity, but it carried an important message: every individual has a place in our school community, and every contribution matters.
For our senior students, the day included an information-sharing session exploring suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Students learned about worldwide statistics, warning signs that someone may be struggling, recognising self-harm, and what they can do if they are concerned about themselves or a friend. We also shared important contact details for support available both within and outside school, ensuring students know where to turn when they need help.
The conversations extended beyond suicide prevention. We also focused on something every student can contribute to — being a good friend. Students explored what makes a healthy friendship, how to recognise positive social circles and ways to support others with kindness and understanding. These conversations are particularly valuable for our Prep students as they continue developing their social and communication skills.
Our wonderful Wellbeing Prefects further supported the initiative by creating a student-friendly pamphlet featuring warning signs, practical steps for supporting someone, and important contact information. This gives students something they can take away and revisit in their own time.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Day reminded us that building resilience is not something we do alone. It grows through connection, kindness, understanding and knowing when to ask for help. By opening up these conversations, we hope our students feel more confident to look out for themselves and one another — and, most importantly, know that they matter, they belong, and they are never alone.
Mrs Pajan Kaur
School Counsellor