Contributor:
Seksom Ounjitttham (Sek)
APCOM
Since the Covid-19 pandemic time,
we have been more attuned to our own mental health needs, and the wellbeing of our staff.
Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing,
and APCOM started a monthly wellbeing activity for our staff usually taking place
on the last Friday of the month.
We are proud to have been able to continue the staff wellbeing activity since the pandemic time,
with the activities led, coordinated and organized by our own staff.
And we are proud to continue making an effort to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of our staff,
raising awareness of mental health and how we need to look after it, and how important it is to get help if you are struggling.
Our staff candidly shares with you their reflections from the monthly wellbeing activity,
the bonding time with colleagues, ensuring that our staff has the time to rest,
recharge, and recenter.
Hello, I’m Seksom Ounjitttham (Sek), and I’m the author of this story about a truly special experience. Today, I’m going to share my firsthand account of “Therapy for the Mind Outside the Classroom”—a unique mental health activity involving amusement park rides.
The moment we arrived and walked through the gate, everyone was immediately excited by the sheer size and bright colors of the park. We spent time taking photos in the beautiful gardens and were mesmerized by the rides surrounding us. Soon, we naturally split into smaller groups to enjoy the rides that matched our interests and shared preferences. Some friends even took time out to play carnival games to try and win a lovely stuffed doll prize. For my part, I chose the less adventurous rides, such as the Ferris wheel and the monorail tour around the park. I focused on the simplicity and the aesthetic pleasure of the surrounding views. This tranquil experience felt refreshing and made me think back to when I was a small child again. Meanwhile, my friends scattered to their favorite thrills; some braved the exhilarating Viking ship and the looping rollercoaster, where screams were required throughout the ride. Their lively demeanor clearly showed their enthusiasm and readiness to play.
After the excitement died down, I checked in with 2-3 friends, and they all agreed that the activity made them “feel like a child again.” One friend specifically stated: “I genuinely felt like I was able to release all the stress and worry right out of my body!” This fun day certainly revealed that our group has diverse preferences: there are those who crave thrilling excitement and those who appreciate simple, gentle enjoyment.
My personal feeling after the activity is that it was a wonderful, diverse activity suitable for everyone, whether they preferred to play, watch, or seek out extreme thrills. I believe this activity greatly benefits mental health because it allows for a natural release of stress through genuine screams and laughter. Given the time and opportunity, I would absolutely encourage everyone to come and share this great experience again!
