IMU believes in the development of the whole self. The IMU Student Counselling Services (SCS) functions as a centre to assist and facilitate your university life in academic, social and developmental activities. We carry out talks, organise workshops and facilitate group counselling or self-discovery sessions to enhance your studies and personal development.
SCS is also here to guide and support you through our various services, including individual, group and career counselling under the utmost confidentiality.
Student Counselling Services
Overview
Objectives
Counselling Services
University life can be compared to starting a whole new chapter of life. This journey’s main twists and turns are centred around self-discovery and self-reliance while you are learning to cope with being away from home, making new friends, balancing personal time, understanding, and meeting the demands of your course. From time to time, while you are busy coping with these adjustments you may sometimes feel overwhelmed.
Our counsellors and clinical psychologists are ready to journey with you by providing the following services: individual counselling, group counselling, career counselling, educational well-being, referral, and crisis intervention.
Individual Counselling: One-on-One Session
- Helps to attend to your concerns objectively.
- Supports and journeys with you in a safe and private setting.
- Supports self-exploration and personal growth.
- Empowers coping skills to navigate personal and academic concerns, career direction, and emotional challenges.
Group Counselling
- Acts as a support network for students to feel a greater sense of connection to others and normalises what they are going through.
- Provides a valuable space for students to share information about themselves, and gain insight into their thoughts and behaviours.
- Learn healthy ways to give and receive support and feedback from others.
Your Confidentiality is Our Priority
The IMU SCS works within the ethical framework for good practice under the Malaysia Counsellor Act 1998 (580 Act).
The IMU counsellors and clinical psychologists are committed to working together to provide professional counselling services to the students adhering to the Counsellors Code of Ethics as set by “Lembaga Kaunselor” (Malaysian Board of Counsellors) and the MSCP Ethical Code (2015) for registered clinical psychologists, as set by Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychologists.
Making An Appointment
Making an appointment today is a lot more convenient than before. We have initiated an online booking system to ease your time and energy.
After-Office-Hour Assistance
*Lifeline Association Malaysia Operating Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30am-10:30pm; Sat: 2:30pm-5:30pm
Common Myths About Counselling
MYTH #1: Counselling is only for people with severe emotional problems
FACT: Everyone has difficulties at some point in their lives. Being able to ask for help is a sign of maturity, humility and inner strength.
MYTH #2: I can get clinical assessment, medications, and diagnosis of my mental health from counselling.
FACT: Counsellors do not provide clinical diagnostic reports or prescribe medication. Their focus is to collaborate with the clients to identify, address, and work through their concerns and needs.
MYTH #3: Counsellors/Therapists will tell you what to do and how to “fix” your problems.
FACT: Counselling is not a quick-fix solution. On the contrary, counselling is a process that requires time and effort. It involves exploring your emotions, thoughts, and concerns to help you evaluate your options and achieve your goals.
MYTH #4: A Counsellor/Therapist cannot understand you unless he/she has had similar experiences or is of the same background.
FACT: Counsellors/Therapists are trained to be sensitive and respectful of individual differences, including the specific concerns of students concerning gender, racial/ethnic, cultural, religious, age, sexual preference/orientation, and socioeconomic issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Student Counselling Services (SCS) located?
We are located on the 2nd Floor at Bukit Jalil Main Campus. Next to FMA (Facility Management & Administration) office.
At Seremban Clinical School, we are located on the 2nd Floor.
What are your office hours?
Bukit Jalil Main Campus: 8:30am – 5:30pm exclude Public Holiday.
Free 24/7 Mental Health Careline is ready to students who need assistant after our operating hour. It can be contacted at +6015-48770426 (Call) or +6011-30116482 (WhatsApp text).
Clinical Campus: BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Kindly email us at:
Seremban campus: [email protected]
Batu Pahat campus: [email protected]
Kluang campus: [email protected]
Who can use the Counselling Service provided by SCS and what does it cost?
The counselling service is Free of Charge for all IMU Students and for 6 sessions (within a year from graduation date) for IMU Alumni after graduation.
How do I make an appointment?
Please refer to the above “Making an appointment” (this is where Microsoft Form link is provided) under SCS.
What should I do if I’m in crisis and couldn’t reach counsellor during non-office hour?
Please call our IMU 24/7 Mental Health Careline: +6015-48770426 or WhatsApp +6011-30116482 for text-based counselling support. You can also call 999 (ambulance) or proceed to the nearest government hospital.
What is your policy on confidentiality?
Counselling sessions held at Student Counselling Services or any other settings within the University are confidential to both the student and counsellor.
Only in exceptional circumstances, the counsellor may take direct action to break confidentiality with or without the student’s consent if necessary, where, in the counsellor’s professional judgement:
- There is a risk of serious harm to the student and/or others.
- The student is below the age of eighteen years is being harmed or abused as defined by the Child Act 2001(Act 611).
- A counsellor can be required by a court of law to provide information, although this situation is very rare. However, this will be fully discussed with the student first and he/she will be involved in the process, so that any resulting action is taken with his/her full knowledge.
How long is one session?
One session is 50 – 60 minutes.
How may I support a friend or family in need?
You are welcome to consult the counsellor on how to support your friend or family in need.
Will I be meeting counsellor/therapist face-to-face or online?
You may choose to see your counsellor/therapist face-to-face or online. However, if you are not feeling well and show signs of fever/flu/cough. We encourage you to opt for online session.
Talks & Workshops
Onboarding Programmes
Starting a university education is both challenging and exciting. This sharing is about the:
- Academic, personal, social, cultural and environmental adjustments in IMU
- The importance of Personal Safety and Where and How to Reach Out for Help
- Introduction to the team of mental health professionals at Student Counselling Services
Personal Development Programmes
What’s Your Journey?
What will you do if your expectations are not met? What are the necessary adaptations and coping strategies you already have? What is your view of “soft skills?” Is a university education just a pursue for a paper qualification or more of the growing of an individual?
My Behavioural Style
It is inevitable that conflict may arise when working in a team. This workshop helps you to become more aware of your instinctual responses to conflict. Directly this would help you to understand the behaviour of others, especially when it comes to negotiating conflict.
Balancing Work and Study
Are you studying and working at the same time? Feeling tired? Being late in assignments? Balancing work and study is challenging. This short talk shares some tools on how to manage this better. “It’s not going to be easy. But it’s going to be worth it” ~ David Viscott
Study Skills Programmes
This course would help you to be an effective learner through these 5 missions:-
- How to be an active learner
- What are the effective study methods
- Time management
- How to handle stress
- Improve self-care
Watching these ten colourful and vibrant videos to equip yourself with the learning skills such as identifying important information, organising it effectively, memorising vast amounts of data, applying what you’ve learned, and effectively recall learning information.
Upcoming Events
SCS organises events and workshops related to the topics of mental health along the year.
Please stay tuned to @imustudentservices on Instagram or the Student Portal Announcements page to learn more about the details about the upcoming events from SCS. You can also find workshop posters at SCS office and their notice board at Ground floor, IMU Bukit Jalil.
For inquiries, please contact SCS here.
Student Counselling Services University Events
Self-Help Resources
Undeniably, students of today need to invest in the sharpening of their soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, self-motivation, decision-making, and time management skills besides their academic and technical knowledge. IMU SCS assists our students by providing or identifying good self-help materials for you. The list will be updated on timely manner to ensure they carry the latest resources.
Self-Help Links
These are some links you will visit as a student of IMU. You are welcome to feedback to us at [email protected] if you would like to see certain self-help strategies in this page.
Books For Personal Growth
Here are some recommended good books you can find in IMU Library for personal growth. These books are organised by categories, you may click on the following category for the recommended list of books.
Books of the Month
Here are some recommended books from SCS for you according to different monthly topics in 2024!
January
Motivation: Does your choice motivate you?
February
Self-confidence – Your daily self-talk
March
Use fun to entertain stress
April
Being an introvert
May
My judgement and bias
June
Eating and Mood
July
Explore the purpose in life
August
Emotions Regulations (Part of it)
September
Burnout, like a flat tire
October
Mental Health Disorders – The misunderstood condition
November
Facing stage fright
December
Understand resilience
Help A Friend
Are You Concerned About A Friend?
Friends are often the first person to notice that a friend is undergoing emotional struggles. If you have a gut feeling that something is not right with your friend, you can make a difference by learning the signs and ways to help by following these 3 simple steps on NEC.
The NEC 3 Step Mental Health Support Model can help your friend:
- Notice signs of distress
- Express concern for your friend
- Connect your friend to the support he/she needs
Notice Signs
Common signs that a friend needs help dealing with emotional or mental struggles.
- Behavioural changes such as withdrawal, insomnia, avoidance, missing classes, lack of interest or easily irritated.
- Emotional changes such as crying for no apparent reason, intense anxiety or nervousness.
- Constant feelings of sadness or hopelessness and expressing thoughts of self- harm or someone else.
- If you see your friend posting messages, photos, videos, links, comments or hashtags that suggest he/she is in emotional distress, you may reach out to your friend to express your concerns.
Express Concern
If you noticed any signs of distress, simple question such as ‘hey, is everything OK?” Express your concern and support by:
- Offer to talk to your friend in a safe environment.
- Offer listening ears with empathy.
Connect to Support
If you are not equipped to support, you may encourage your friend to seek professional help:
- Help your friend identify sources of support.
- Encourage your friend to seek help with SCS or offer to accompany your friend to SCS.
- Provide options to make appointments such as self-registration, calling, sending a message to SCS via E-mail, Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp.
Talk2Me E-Mail Service
Need someone to talk to? You may email us to share with us your thoughts and feelings.
What If My Friend Is Resistance to Seek For Professional Help?
Offer Resources
- Email to Talk2Me to get assistance from peer supporters for advice or to reach out to your friend.
- Provide your friend the IMU 24/7 Mental Health Careline for IMU Students. Call +6015-4877 0426 or WhatsApp +6011-3011 6482 for text-based counselling support.
Consult
You are not alone. Contact SCS and reach out to our team of mental health professionals to get advice on how to approach your friend. Other groups that can support you are SSH (Student Services Hub), Mentors, Lecturers, SRC (Student Representative Council) or E-mail to Talk2Me to get assistance from Peer Supporters.
Contact for Immediate Help
If you believe your friend is in a crisis or need immediate help, please call the following numbers immediately.
| During Office Hours (within IMU Campus) |
Student Counselling Services | 03-2731 7564 |
| Bukit Jalil Campus | 03-2731 7561 | |
| Clinical Campus | 06-7671 643 | |
| After Office Hours | Emergency | 999 |
IMU Peer Support Club
What is IMU Peer Support Club?
We, the Peer Supporters, are IMU students who are trained in basic helping skills to reach out to students with a wide range of issues. We provide a listening ear, offer support and refer fellow students to available resources. Students can reach us via the Talk2Me E-mail Services, exclusive for IMU students.
IMU Peer Support Club has been active for the past decade. With the supervision and guidance from the counsellors in Student Counselling Services (SCS), we provide training and guidance to new recruits who are up for the role of becoming Peer Supporters.
One of our yearly events is the popular Mental Health Week to promote Mental Health Awareness via Talks, Workshops, Seminars and currently through our Webinars and lunch chat. This is with the hope that with more awareness on Mental Health there would be less stigmatisation towards seeking for counselling.
IMU Peer Support Club is open to all IMU students, you can be part of the team and be a great support for the rest. For those who are interested to know more, you may click below.
How to be a Peer Supporter and why you need to?
Talk2Me E-Mail Service
Need someone to talk to? You may email us to share with us your thoughts and feelings.
SCS Contact
| During Office Hours (within IMU Campus) |
Student Counselling Services | 03-2731 7564 |
| Bukit Jalil Campus | 03-2731 7561 | |
| Clinical Campus | 06-7671 643 | |
| After Office Hours | Emergency | 999 |
| Email Address | Student Counselling Services | [email protected] |
| Seremban Campus | [email protected] | |
| Batu Pahat Campus | [email protected] | |
| Kluang Campus | [email protected] |
Making An Appointment
Making an appointment today is a lot more convenient than before. We have initiated an online booking system to ease your time and energy.
After-Office-Hour Assistance
*Lifeline Association Malaysia Operating Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30am-10:30pm; Sat: 2:30pm-5:30pm
Meet the Mental Health Professional
Ms Eng Qian Jun
Lead Counsellor
[email protected]
Mr Wong Wai Kit
Senior Student Counsellor
[email protected]
Ms Carina Lai
Student Counsellor
[email protected]
Ms Cheng Eng Hui
Student Counsellor
[email protected]
Mrs Phoong
(Tan Keat Hoon)
Student Counsellor
[email protected]
Ms Helenna Maria Binti Hisham Hashim
Clinical Psychologist
[email protected]
Location Map
Bukit Jalil Campus
Seremban Clinical Campus
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