A day out with friends can offer more than shopping and catching up. Pasar Besties 2.0 returns to The School, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya, on 18 October 2026, combining a community market with creative workshops and activities designed to encourage conversations about mental wellbeing.

Under this year’s Camp Besties theme, visitors can explore Camp TheraFriends, an initiative intended to help people better understand their emotions, recognise stress triggers and discover practical approaches to self-care. The event is open to everyone, whether attending with friends, family or alone, and does not require participants to be experiencing mental health difficulties.

Making mental health conversations more approachable

The focus comes amid growing concerns about mental wellbeing in Malaysia. The Ministry of Health’s National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 reported that depression prevalence among people aged 16 and above rose from 2.3 per cent in 2019 to 4.6 per cent in 2023, equivalent to approximately one million people. These figures reflect survey screening findings rather than individual clinical diagnoses.

Social connection is another important consideration. The World Health Organization’s 2025 Commission on Social Connection report estimated that one in six people worldwide experiences loneliness, highlighting the importance of meaningful connections to mental and physical health.

At Camp TheraFriends, visitors can take part in a free mental health check-in and activities including sensory slime-making with Reveri.my, a DIY Emotional Support Pet, personality testing and a message-sharing board. The activities encourage reflection and conversation but are not diagnostic assessments or substitutes for professional care.

Creative workshops and local discoveries

Beyond the camp, the programme includes movement sessions, art and hands-on workshops. Highlights include Pound with Mis Claire, oyster-shucking with Oyster Bois, Cake Canvas with Therapeaucake, DIY mini terrariums by Taman Hati and lantern decorating with Let’s Be Whimsy. Visitors can also explore journalling and other creative activities, alongside food, beauty and lifestyle offerings from local businesses.

The event builds on the first Pasar Besties edition, organised by The Butterfly Project at The School, Jaya One, in May 2024. That event brought together local businesses, workshops and mental health awareness, with this year’s programme placing greater emphasis on everyday wellbeing.

The organisers hope visitors will leave with a better understanding of what affects their wellbeing and practical ideas they can explore beyond the event.

Advance registration is required for wellness sessions and workshops, with no walk-ins for these activities. The first 200 pre-registered participants will receive a Camp Besties Activity Card containing samples from Salonpas and Big Plus. Participants who complete the card can redeem a lucky gift, subject to the event programme.

Pasar Besties 2.0: Camp Besties takes place on Sunday, 18 October 2026, from 10am to 7pm at The School, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya. For programme updates and registration details, visit @pasarbesties on Instagram.