This PJ Market Is Hosting A Mental Health Camp With Freebies & Workshops

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Need a reset from your usual weekend routine? A market filled with good food, fun workshops, and open conversations about mental wellbeing might be exactly what you need.

Pasar Besties 2.0 is returning to The School at Jaya One in Petaling Jaya on Sunday, 18 October.

This edition features a special 'Camp Besties' theme centered on friendship, self-care, and mental health awareness.

Running from 10am to 7pm, the one-day event brings together local businesses, food vendors, and wellness activities, giving visitors a chance to hang out with friends while carving out time for themselves.

One of the main highlights is Camp TheraFriends, the event's first mental health camp, organised with support from TheraFriends Psychology

Visitors can explore six activity stations, including free hugs from HuggyPal, a personality test, sensory slime by Reveri.my, a DIY Emotional Support Pet, visual card reading, and a Give & Take a Message board.

The activities are designed to encourage self-reflection and make mental health conversations feel more approachable. They are not diagnostic assessments or substitutes for professional care.

The first 200 pre-registered participants will receive a Camp Besties Activity Card bundled with Salonpas and Big Plus samples. Complete the card, and you can redeem a lucky gift.

There will be workshops, wellness sessions, and local vendors

Visitors can sign up for various activities, including an oyster-shucking workshop by Oyster Bois, cake decorating by Therapeaucake, DIY mini terrarium-making by Taman Hati, lantern decorating, pastel art, leather journal cover-making, and press-on nail workshops.

There will also be journalling activities, movement sessions, and relaxation experiences.

Program RoseROSE, supported by Etiqa Cares, will offer free HPV DNA self-testing for eligible participants.

Do note that workshops and wellness sessions require advance registration, with no walk-ins. Check Pasar Besties' Instagram page for sign-up details.

The market will also feature local food, drinks, beauty, and lifestyle vendors, including 5am Oatclub, Bloop Soda, Donut Susu, Lumi Bumi, Pastries & Co, Pick A Pickle, The Gooey Cookies, and The Tea Depot/Sen & Ro.

The first 300 visitors can get free strawberries with chocolate sauce

Cameron Fresh will be giving away cups of strawberries with chocolate sauce to the first 300 visitors.

Meanwhile, Softsrve Malaysia will be giving away 100 scoops of its kurang manis ice cream to the first 100 people who shout, "I love kurang manis ice cream!"

According to Malaysia's National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, the prevalence of depression among people aged 16 and above increased from 2.3% in 2019 to 4.6% in 2023, representing approximately one million people

These figures are based on survey screening findings rather than individual clinical diagnoses.

The World Health Organization's 2025 report also estimates that one in six people worldwide experiences loneliness.

While community events are not a substitute for professional support, they can provide opportunities for people to connect, learn about mental wellbeing, and explore everyday self-care.

Here are the event details:

Date:
Sunday, 18 October 2026

Time:
10am to 7pm

Venue:
The School, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya

For updates, visit @pasarbesties on Instagram.