Sarimah (third from left) sharing her thoughts on mental health issues.
School’s graduates pen tune to inspire hope, strength
IN support of World Mental Health Day, a musically talented group of students sang out strong to help at-risk youths heal.
Students from Sekolah Tunas Bakti (STB) Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, performed as a choir to an audience at TGV Cinemas, Suria KLCC, in the city centre.
Luahkan was composed by two of the school’s graduates in conjunction with World Mental Health Day.
The school is among the Welfare Department’s rehabilitation centres for juveniles.
Through its students’ participation, the school became part of the efforts of Empati (Kelab Advokasi Pulih Mental), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that assists marginalised youths through its innovative healing concept.
Empati’s mission is to foster a caring community and provide vulnerable youths with a platform to express themselves, and grow.
Through this, the NGO hopes to address disparities that often hinder these youths’ access to resources and opportunities.
Empati’s beneficiaries include mental health survivors, HIV/AIDS survivors and students in juvenile rehabilitation centres.
The choir performance also served as the launch of Luahkan as a single.
The event was graced by Che Puan Sarimah Ibrahim who is regarded as “Ikon Empati”, and Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin who is the NGO’s patron.
Also in attendance was Aiman Amri, popularly known as Aiman Psikologi, as the psychology advisor of Empati.
STB Sungai Besi students performing ‘Luahkan’ in solidarity with World Mental Health Day.
Taking on the role of keynote speaker was drama and film director Kabir Bhatia who produced and directed the Juvana drama series in 2011.
Production of the single began with a request by two former STB Sungai Besi students, Zai-K and Dek’Ai, who had wanted to produce a rap song about their lives and future hopes.
Their idea had come about following a community outreach project by Empati.
The NGO worked with the school to achieve this goal as it recognised the power of music to inspire and empower.
Under the mentorship of Malaysian R&B artiste Zynakal, in collaboration with Mercury Space and Golden Sound Studio, Luahkan was produced.
Written and performed by Zai-K and Dek’Ai, the single and its launch celebrated the remarkable journey of the two young songwriters who had overcome significant challenges.
Zai-K is now training with the army while Dek’Ai is pursuing his studies at Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara.
They are testament to the transformative power of Empati’s initiatives.
The NGO’s founder and president Syahida Zulkarnain, who is also a member of the Youth Parliament, expressed her pride in the students’ achievements.
“The creation of Luahkan is not just an artistic achievement but a critical step in providing a structured support system for marginalised youth.
“These young individuals need more than rehabilitation; they need a community that believes in their potential.
“I hope this project inspires everyone to further develop and support psychosocial initiatives that address the emotional and mental health needs of at-risk youths,” she said in her opening speech at the event.
Kabir praised the project’s significance: “Let’s face it, there is a bit of a juvenile in all of us.
“But, sometimes the best stories are borne from the lives we have lived.
“So, let’s celebrate these stories and their storytellers.
“Let’s grow up together with an open mind where creativity is in a constant state of ebb and flow!”Indeed, when the former STB Sungai Besi students took the lead, their voices carried by the warm harmonies of 30 current students who stood behind them in a show of solidarity, the raw emotion and vulnerability in their performance resonated with the audience, leaving many deeply moved and inspired.
Supported by the Prime Minister’s Office and TGV Cinemas, the event displayed the resilience and potential of young people who have faced challenges early in life.
This partnership between government bodies, NGOs and creative industries emphasises the power of art to transform lives.
The showcase of these young individuals’ remarkable journeys is aimed at inspiring hope in the hearts of other youths facing similar obstacles.
