Smile-sius 37°C fosters love and warmth

Gateway Mall Kuala Lumpur launched the Smile-sius 37°C Care Event in April, bringing teenagers into a loving and warm environment.

With the overarching theme of "Warmth and Healing," the program aimed to raise awareness about the emotional challenges faced by adolescents during their growth process and emphasize the importance of valuing life.

After COVID-19, Malaysian youth suffered from frequent psychological and emotional imbalances, with 10% of 13-year-olds attempting suicide.

The Friends in Life team received support from Keng Shian Ling, Associate Professor of Psychology at Monash University Malaysia, and Chong Hung Wang, a former president of the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia, to launch the Smile-sius 37°C program.

The event, organized by the Malaysian Buddhist Development Foundation, featured four thematic activities: symposiums, concerts, bazaars, and cultural performances.

Singer sings at the concert site

Wan Ning, event secretary of Smile-sius 37°C, said, "Emotionally depressed teenagers may not be able to absorb more information and advice rationally, so a Ted Talk session was organized to listen to the real thoughts of teenagers first."

In the warm atmosphere of the site, participants were free to release their stressful emotions and receive the warmth of strangers. The various handicrafts in the bazaar contain a special meaning that perfectly fits the purpose of people to warm each other.

Painting stalls at the Market

Ning said, "We were delighted with the positive feedback from the teens, parents, and the public. They commented that all the songs performed were touching and even the lyrics and melodies were healing."

In addition, the activity launched the theme song "It's Okay Not to Be Okay" for this purpose, which aims to encourage breaking free from bondage and labels, accepting and embracing oneself and others.

Kan Peik Quan, the producer of the theme song and manager of Happy Studio, a company supporting the event, said, "Everyone spent a lot of time revising the lyrics, just hoping to inspire people in need through the lyrics in the song,"

"When the people around me take the initiative to sing the melody of this song when they encounter some problems, I know we have succeeded. "

The next step of the plan is to launch the 37°C Smiling Campus roadshow and continue to advocate public attention to the mental health of young people within two years, hoping that young people will learn to face and accept greater challenges in the future.