OK Run was organised by NTU Malay Society Pulse to raise awareness and reduce stigma regarding mental health among the public.
OK Run has a similar pronunciation to the word, ‘ukiran’ in Malay. ‘Ukiran’ loosely translates to a carving or engraving, thus OK Run connoted a run that carved the right mindset and attitude towards mental health. The event consisted of a 5km run, performances, games and food booths. The main run was made up of three trails in Labrador Park. Apart from the vendors engaged, an invitation was also extended to an organisation called Club HEAL, which was the event’s main beneficiary.
Participants enjoyed the scenic views during the first trail at Bukit Chermin Boardwalk, before going up for a short hike at the second trail and finally, greeted by the sea once again for the last trail. Some participants ran the whole route while others strolled leisurely. At the end of the run, participants received refreshments and watched energetic performances in the comforts of floor beanbags. A staff from Club HEAL, who was previously its client, was also present to give a short sharing session.
Aside from performances at the picnic area, there were also game booths to entertain participants and educate them about the misconceptions of mental health.
“OK Run was a good platform for the public to learn and know more about mental health. It was carried out in such a fun and interactive way and was different from a boring talk or forum. I really like the beanbags and carnival games that provided the chill and fun vibe to the event. The 5km Run, although tiring, allowed the public to understand the importance of fitness in maintaining good mental health. I felt the personal sharing by the staff from Club HEAL was really an eye opener, and allowed me to better understand the feelings and thoughts of someone suffering from mental health issues.” Ilyana Sa’ad, Volunteer
About NTU Muslim Society (NTUMS)
NTUMS is a student organisation serving the NTU/NIE Muslim community. They aim to come together to build ukhuwwah and contribute to society at large. Their mission is to develop strong, capable and compassionate Muslim students leaders; promote an Islamic environment; and outreach to community. Pulse is one of nine an ad-hoc committees under NTUMS. It is a platform to inspire the Muslim community to be more physically active through the promotion of sports and games in campus. The team look towards developing the Muslim community holistically, through inculcating a healthy lifestyle. Other committees serving the community include Alterisk, Overseas Humanitarian Expeditions and Yusra.
