To draw students’ attention to mental health and establish a spirit of mutual help and friendship, the Student Affairs Office of Macao Polytechnic Institute organised a "Peer Support Programme". Through a series of activities such as the Personal Development Workshop and the Mental Health First-aid Courses, the programme aims to strengthen students’ self-awareness, carry forward the spirit of giving support to others, deliver positive energy and help students to be better prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

The Personal Development Workshop, through video sharing and group discussions, led students to explore the challenges and opportunities they may encounter in college life, and encouraged them to face challenges with positivity and courage.  While the Mental Health First-Aid Courses, with a pragmatic approach, teaching students to identify common mental illness, introducing effective intervention skills and strengthening students' attention in mental health concept.

Ms Leung, student from the Accounting programme said that the Personal Development Workshop was practical, while topics such as jumping out of the comfort zone, positive communication in interpersonal relationships, adjustment of psychological gap when encountering setbacks, resonated with students fully.  After the workshop, she knew herself better, learned to explore her potential and prepare for the future. Mr Cheong, student who majoring in Social Sciences in Sino-Lusophone Trade Relations, said that the Mental Health First-aid Courses not only allowed him to understand the general mental health issues but also increased his understanding of Macao’s social welfare resources. At the same time, he learned the importance of interpersonal communication skills. The courses are very useful both to himself and the people around him.

The Macao Polytechnic Institute is committed to facilitating the holistic development of its students. As such, the Student Affairs Office has always organised various extra-curricular activities to enable the students to progress collectively with mutual assistance and encouragement, create a harmonious and inclusive campus environment for learning, and fully realise their potentials and latent virtues, thereby radiating positive energy to the wider community, unlocking a life full of wisdom and fulfilment, and contributing to the future development of Macao and China.