PETALING JAYA, April 12: Suara Minda, an organisation that contributes to mental wellbeing, has lined up several workshops for this month, aimed at helping participants enjoy better mental health as well as reduce their stress levels through activities that encourage both creativity and relaxation.
Vishalatchi Arunagiri, the founder of Suara Minda, and a survivor herself who had undergone various challenges and found arts as one way towards better mental health, said the workshops, which started on April 6, will be held on the remaining Saturdays of this month, namely April 12. 19 and 26.
These workshops, held from 10am to 12pm, are therapeutic in nature, where participants start off their workshops with light exercises, and move on to the activity of the day, which would be flower therapy on April 12.
On April 19, the workshop will be on pottery painting, where participants will get to try their hands on pottery painting and on April 26, participants will get to enjoy painting tyres.
Earlier this year, Suara Minda launched its first pilot workshop, with clay therapy. Participants came from diverse backgrounds, including neurodivergent children, senior citizens, and adults, Visalatchi said.
Describing clay therapy as “healing hands, healing minds”, Visalatchi said working with clay was a great way to release stress and enjoy calmness.
Speaking from her personal experience of how clay therapy had helped her overcome anxiety, she said the process of creating something with her own hands also provided her a sense of achievement while helping her to focus and gain patience and confidence. Arts can be a form of therapy towards better mental health, she added.
Those who wish to join the Suara Minda workshops this April, please call 017 3503257 for more details.
— WE