Student mental wellness advocate Ryann Phua speaking at the talk

At NUS Co-op, we believe student life is about more than just books and supplies. It’s also about taking care of yourself, inside and out. On World Mental Health Day this year on 10 Oct, we hosted “Small Shifts, Big Impact: Mental Wellness in the Everyday”, a heart-to-heart session with NUS student Ryann Phua (@ryannphua2016), a content creator in the mental wellness space and also guest speaker for our event that day.

Through his sharing at the talk, Ryann reminded us that taking care of our mental well-being doesn’t always need huge, complicated changes. Sometimes, it’s the small things that truly matter.

From Struggles to Strength

Ryann began by breaking down a common myth — that big problems demand big solutions. He spoke with openly and vulnerably about his most difficult year in 2023, when a series of mental health diagnoses, a painful breakup, and a PES F rating all converged at once. It was, as he described, his rock bottom — what he called the “Singaporean Standard of Failure.”

What followed was his journey of rebuilding resilience. He dove into psychology, relentlessly reading up and learning from experts like Harvard psychiatrist Dr. K and Dr. Orion Taraban. He applied the simple yet consistent practices he learnt into his life, and eventually found what worked for him.

His key takeaway? Daily habits, no matter how small, add up to something powerful.

A Small Tip with a Big Payoff

Among the many insights Ryann shared, one stood out for its immediate practicality: how to use a daily planner.

Instead of filling up our time with endless to-dos, he explained that planners should help reduce stress, not add to it. By mapping out your time visually, you can avoid the overwhelming “What do I do now?” moments that drain energy.

And his golden rule? “Don’t try to be productive 24/7.” Burnout only sets you back. Instead, build buffer time into your schedule and see planning as a tool for balance and sustainability, not constant hustle.

A Team Effort

What made this event even more meaningful was Ryann’s reflection on our collaboration:

“For World Mental Health Day 2025, NUS Co-op helped me to organise my first talk. And honestly? I couldn’t have done it without them. They gave me the scaffolding that made the whole process feel easy. At the end, when students came up to share their own struggles with me, I felt a newfound sense of purpose. That drives me to want to do more for others. And so I thank

NUS Co-op for that.”

Hearing this was a reminder of why we host these sessions: to create safe spaces for real conversations that matter.

Wellness is a Journey

Engaged audience at the Mental Wellness Talk

The session closed with an important message: small, consistent shifts in our daily lives can create lasting change.

If you ever feel like you need support, please remember you’re not alone. Reach out to the resources available to all NUS students and staff:

·      NUS Counselling Services

·      Peer Student Supporters

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We held the event at Anna’s x The Soup Spoon Union Café, a cosy and inviting space that set the perfect tone for an afternoon of open sharing and reflection. Surrounded by the café’s warm ambience, participants enjoyed a comforting set of refreshments and a drink as they engaged in a meaningful sharing on mental wellness. 

Anna’s x The Soup Spoon Union Café at The Central Library (Picture: annassourdough_official)

To make the experience even more special, each attendee received a complimentary lemongrass candle (worth $22.90), kindly sponsored by @theooctopus_sg. A small but thoughtful reminder to slow down and care for one’s well-being beyond the session.

Lemongrass candle by @theooctopus_sg

A big thank you to everyone who joined us that afternoon and to Ryann, for sharing so openly about his life and learnings. Let’s keep taking those small steps forward, together.

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Stay connected

This event is organised by NUS Co-op in collaboration with wellness advocate Ryann Phua to promote mental wellbeing across the NUS community. Since 1969, NUS Co-op aims to enrich campus life through affordable resources, services, and student support.

Follow us on Instagram @nus.coop for future events!