
As part of SMU’s commitment to sustainability, the university promotes a holistic approach to enhance the wellbeing and resilience of its community. Central to these efforts, the Mrs Wong Kwok Leong Student Wellness Centre (MWKLSWC) actively raises awareness and promotes mental wellbeing across campus.
In celebration of World Mental Health Day, the Centre partnered with various SMU offices, student clubs, and external agencies to organise an exciting lineup of activities, talks and workshops for students, faculty and staff. These initiatives focus on two key dimensions of wellness in the SMU Resilience Framework - social and emotional resilience.
This year’s theme, Creating Communities, Strengthening Ties, emphasised the importance of building connections and support networks to enhance mental health and well-being. A key feature of the month-long activity programme was the two-day roadshow, held from 17 to 18 October at the SMU T-Junction, which drew around 800 members of the SMU community.
Highlights included lively Café Conversations with SMU Students’ Association (SMUSA), a community-building activity that encouraged positive interactions, and Gaming Galore with Student Council of Discipline - a fun twist on Jenga where participants built a tower while sharing their stressors and self-care tips.
Andrea Rebareyo, a second-year student from the School of Social Sciences, shared:
“It was interesting to engage in deep conversations with strangers at the Café Conversations booth.”
From Beyond Barriers organised by Student Accessibility Support, which offered hands-on experiences simulating visual and physical challenges for participants to better understand how assistive technology, inclusive design, and respectful interactions can foster a more inclusive environment to the exploration of the 5 Love Languages by Voices@SMU, which allowed participants to discover how they and their friends express affection — these experiences provided valuable opportunities for participants to learn more about themselves and discover creative ways to enrich their relationships.
Another standout moment of the roadshow was the heartfelt Gratitude Buzz, organised in collaboration with SMU Psychology Society. Participants expressed gratitude through writing notes and leaving these on the Gratitude Tree. The tree will be displayed at the Li Ka Shing Library until the end of this term and students can continue to contribute their messages of appreciation.
The roadshow also boosted fun and meaningful ways to capture memories. At the Making Memories photo booth hosted by SMU Student Care and Support Services, participants took home personalised keepsakes, while The Ripple Effect, in collaboration with Singapore Kindness Movement, inspired creativity and kindness through activities that emphasised community and support. Meanwhile, REACH Community Services Ltd hosted a series of mindfulness exercises at the Zen Oasis and shared grounding techniques that helped participants reconnect, relax, and improve their sleep.
First-year student, AI Neo, from Lee Kong Chian School of Business, reflected on her experience at the roadshow:
“During Mental Health Week, I gained valuable insights and useful tips that I can apply throughout my academic journey, helping me manage stress and enhance my overall well-being.”
Chang Zi Hui, a fourth-year student from the School of Computing and Information Systems, commented:
“It’s important to look out for others, as we may not always see the difficulties they’re facing. A simple act of kindness or a willingness to listen can make a significant difference in someone’s life.”
In addition to the roadshow’s activities, MWKLSWC collaborated with SMU’s Office of Human Resources to organise a series of rejuvenating activities for faculty and staff from 7 to 24 October. They included sound bath therapy, soothing back massage by the visually impaired, leathercraft and essential oil rollerball workshops and insightful talks for caregivers and parents. Like the previous year, these activity spots were quickly filled by enthusiastic participants. MWKLSWC also collaborated with SMU Libraries to curate a Book Display at Li Ka Shing Library from 14 October to 8 November, showcasing a selection of titles on mental health and well-being, including The Lonely Century by Noreena Hertz, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown and Big Panda and Tiny Dragon by James Norbury.
Aligned with the theme of Creating Communities, Strengthening Ties, SMU strives to foster an environment where everyone feels supported and connected. By prioritising mental health, encouraging open dialogue, and nurturing a culture of care, the University seeks to strengthen resilience and build lasting bonds within the community.