(Front row, from second right) Dr Perera and Prof Andrew with guests at the event.
TAYLOR’S University has integrated extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) in its mental health education.
Spearheaded by its Vortex (Virtual Online Future Technology and Extended Reality) XR Lab, these innovations are reshaping psychotherapy education, equipping future professionals with tools needed to address the evolving mental health landscape.
“This first-of-its-kind initiative within education institutions in Malaysia positioned Taylor’s at the forefront of XR and AI adoption in mental health education,” the university said in a media statement.
The combination of immersive XR simulations with AI-driven tools offers students and professionals ways to revolutionise traditional approaches to mental health support.
Using immersive XR simulations that replicate real-world therapy scenarios, such as role-playing sessions with AI avatars, allows students to practise empathetic listening, emotional validation and intervention techniques.
This could deepen their understanding of patient perspectives, fostering emotional sensitivity and real-world readiness, the university stated.
Complementing this, XR AI-powered tools such as Avatar Seren provide real-time mental health assessments by analysing patient interactions, tracking progress and delivering protocolised therapy techniques like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT).
This empowers users to explore coping strategies, articulate emotions and address cognitive distortions.
Additionally, the project Inside Spectrum VR is designed to let educators experience the world through the eyes of autistic students, promoting inclusivity and awareness.
“By integrating XR and AI into our curriculum, we are offering experiential learning opportunities that go beyond theory,” said Vortex XR Lab director John Hii Ing Kieng.
“Students and professionals can now develop critical skills through simulated, real-world scenarios, better preparing them for the complexities of modern mental health practice,” he said.
The innovations were unveiled at the university’s World Mental Health Day event themed “Innovations for a Healthier Mind and Safer Digital World”.
Hosted by the Mental Health and Well-being Impact Lab under the leadership of director Prof Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj and deputy director Dr Hiran Shanake Perera, and sponsored by Malaysian Mental Health Association, the event also featured a student-led creative film competition.
Students from various disciplines submitted compelling visual narratives that tackled the stigma surrounding mental health issues, depicting resilience and the power of support systems.
Prof Andrew said, “This event stands as a testament to Taylor’s University’s unwavering dedication to mental health advocacy.
“By integrating innovation, creativity and collaboration, we are redefining how mental health education is approached and ensuring that meaningful support systems are in place for our community and beyond.”
With plans to expand collaborations with industry partners and integrate XR-AI into educational curricula, the university said it was setting a new standard for mental health training – one that bridged technology, empathy and accessibility to redefine care for future generations.
