APU Psychology Students Explore the Realities of Mental Health Care at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta

On the 17th and 18th of September 2024, students from the School of Psychology (SoP) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) embarked on a highly educational field trip to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta (HBUK) in Tanjung Rambutan, Perak. The visit provided the students with invaluable first-hand exposure to Malaysia’s oldest and most renowned psychiatric centre, a facility that offers over 15,000 outpatient treatments annually.

Led by Mr Jaff Choong Gian Yong, Lecturer at SoP, and supported by his colleagues Ms Dhevaania C. Gendsen and Ms Raihan Munira Moh Sani, the field trip aimed to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical understanding.

HBUK, once known as "Hospital Tanjung Rambutan," has a rich history dating back to its origins as an asylum, and today stands as a beacon of modern mental health care in Malaysia. This visit also aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), reinforcing APU’s commitment to providing quality education through real-world exposure.

Upon arrival, APU students and faculty members were warmly welcomed by Ms Norhameza Binti Ahmad Badruddin, Head of Psychology and Counselling at HBUK, and Mr Zaidi Bin Zainol, Head of the Unit Community of Psychiatric Services.

Ms Norhameza delivered an insightful lecture on the evolution of mental health care in Malaysia, emphasising the shift from institutional care to more patient-centred, compassionate approaches. This provided students with a broader understanding of how the field of psychology has advanced over the decades, particularly in areas such as Abnormal Psychology, Biopsychology, and Counselling Psychology.

One of the key highlights of the visit was the opportunity for students to observe and engage in The Workshop, where stabilised residents were involved in crafting fine motor products as part of their rehabilitation. This therapeutic activity not only promotes cognitive and motor skills development but also offers a sense of purpose to the patients, many of whom are diagnosed with learning disorders or schizophrenia.

Students were encouraged to interact with the residents under careful supervision, which allowed them to apply classroom concepts to real-world scenarios, observing patient behaviour and the supportive role of psychology in their recovery journey.

The tour extended to several other sections of the hospital, including the Male Ward and the Forensic Hospital.

The Male Ward houses individuals with conditions such as schizophrenia and other severe mental health disorders. Here, students gained valuable insights into the daily challenges faced by patients and caregivers alike.

The visit to the Forensic Hospital, which resembles a prison in design, offered a glimpse into the lives of patients whose psychiatric conditions have led to legal issues. These experiences enabled the students to better appreciate the complexity of mental health treatment, from rehabilitation to the intersection of mental health and the legal system.

The tour concluded with a visit to HBUK’s Museum, where historical tools, photographs, and records were displayed, illustrating the transformation of psychiatric care over the decades. This section of the visit allowed students to reflect on how much the field of psychology has evolved, moving away from more archaic treatments to a more compassionate, evidence-based approach.

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Ms Vinorra Shaker, Associate Head of the School of Psychology at APU, commended the value of the visit, stating, “At APU, we believe in providing our students with a holistic education that extends beyond the classroom. The field trip to HBUK has allowed our students to witness the real-world applications of psychological care and its profound impact on individuals. These experiences shape their learning, allowing them to connect theory with practice, and preparing them to become empathetic and competent professionals in the field.”