“Mental health is a national crisis” says YB Syed Saddiq

By, Mohammad Shahziq Saleem

GOMBAK, 10 October 2025: As part of Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL) Mental Health Week, the Law Society of IIUM and AIKOL Wellbeing Club held a forum titled “The Quiet Cry: Listening with Love, Healing with Presence” on October 8, 2025, at the Main Auditorium, IIUM Gombak. It featured YB Syed Saddiq, former Minister of Youth and Sports, youth advocate Benjamin Chay, and AIKOL lecturer Prof. Dr. Noriah Ramli, with YM Tunku Dato’ Kaiyisah Tunku Kamil Ikram as moderator.

The programme was opened by the dean of AIKOL, Prof. Dr. Ida Madieha Bt. Abdul Ghani Azmi, where she emphasised on the importance of IIUM Mental Health Policy for all students and staff. She also highlighted the struggles of students balancing their mental health and studies.

Reflecting on his student days at AIKOL, YB Syed Saddiq shared that maintaining mental health depends on having a sense of purpose, building strong social connections, and taking care of one’s physical health.

”Mental health is a national crisis” said YB Syed Saddiq, concerned with the rise of mental health issues in Malaysia.

Prof. Dr. Noriah Ramli shared that she once struggled with mental health issues but managed to overcome them. Drawing from her own experience, she now makes it a priority to support students facing similar challenges. Prof. Noriah said she is attentive to her students’ behaviour and can often tell when someone is struggling, adding that she usually speaks to them after class to offer guidance and support.

Benjamin Chay said his passion for helping others inspires his advocacy for mental health.