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Is Mental Illness “Funny”?
By Nicole K. // I met a friend recently and had a chance to catch up with her briefly. She asked what it was I did exactly at The Tapestry Project. So I explained that I write about my personal experiences with mental illness as well as others’. She burst into an uncontrollable fit of…
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See The Full Picture: An Event Story
By Nicole K. // It was a Saturday afternoon. I was sweating buckets walking down the bustling and colourful Haji Lane, known for its eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary artisan shops, encompassing all things quaint and quirky. But I wasn’t perspiring profusely because of the sweltering heat from the afternoon sun, or the thick tropical humidity. It was my…
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Lending Hope: Justina’s Story
By Justina // Once, during a rough patch when I felt utterly hopeless, I quoted Elosie Cole’s poem “Borrowed Hope” in a session with my psychiatrist: “Lend me your hope for awhile. A time will come when I will heal, And I will lend my renewed hope to others.” He told me that recovery looks…
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Empowering Caregivers
Editor’s Note: Mental illness is never a personal affair. It affects entire communities, with our nearest and dearest bearing the brunt of responsibility in looking after loved ones undergoing illness and distress. It is therefore vital for caregivers to find support, as they often neglect their own needs, resulting in burnout, poor health, frustration and even depression. As a…
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Making The Best of My Life: Sam’s Story
Editor’s Note: Our social interactions and significant relationships can contribute to our sense of self and self-worth. In Sam’s story, she shares what led to her suicide attempt and how she found peace today through owning her personal coping methods. Her story also highlights the need for mental health professionals to be more sensitive and empathetic, and to treat…
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When Life and Love Collide: Debra’s Story
Editor’s Note: Life events, such as being in significant relationships and switching professions, play a great part in affecting our moods and day-to-day functioning. Having a keen sense of insight and self-awareness, Debra identifies these two major stressors which had led to her depression and anxiety, and what it means to lose something, only to gain something far…
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Of Praise And Platitudes
By Nicole K. // Socialising has always been a challenge for me. The past four weeks have been remarkably intense due to unavoidable, non-standard gatherings with family and friends, on top of my ad hoc work meetings, and Tapestry related discussions. To say that my stamina for social gatherings has been stretched to its limits…
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Parable Of A Pearl: Celab’s Story
Editor’s Note: A story of hope, resilience and self-reflection, contributed by one of our Tapestry readers, Celab, who is recovering from bipolar disorder. The pearl is such an apt metaphor for the recovering mental health sufferer. Indeed, we are all works in progress. And like a precious pearl, we are of intrinsic value and worth. Here…
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Emotions are Rational
By Nicole K. // We are often under the impression that our heart and our mind are two separate entities. Warring opposites that constantly jostle for our attention — with “irrational” emotions on one end, and the “rational” mind at the other. As a result of this “one or the other” type of reasoning, this perceived polarity perpetuates a dichotomy that…
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How Mental Illness Lies
By Nicole K. // May is a special month for me (it also happens to be Mental Health Month) so I’ve decided to finally publish what took me 3 months to draft — my personal story on self-harm and suicide. It was a tough thing for me to relive, but I believe it’s important for others to understand how mental illness…
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Recovering Our Dreams: Kate’s Story
Editor’s Note: Recovering from mental illness is possible. Our reader, Kate, shares that it begins with facing our fears and rediscovering our hopes and dreams in life. A Peer Specialist with the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH), Kate relates her personal story on depression. We look forward to receiving more inspirational stories like Kate’s and we hope…
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My Anxiety; My Recovery
By Nicole K. // I feel like I’m unravelling. Rapidly. All the ground I’ve gained in the past months seems to be giving way under my feet. I’m falling through the cracks. Holding on. Holding on for dear life. This can’t be happening again. Not again. Those were the words I hastily scribbled in my…
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Psychologist or Psychiatrist?
By Nicole K. // I have been frequently asked on what the difference is, between a psychologist and a psychiatrist. So I thought I might just as well share what I know. To put it simply: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who treats the brain, as mental illness is a result of neurobiological imbalance. A…
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An Overcoming Strength: Jolene C.
Editor’s Note: There’s so much we don’t know about mental health. Here is an enlightening read contributed by assistant psychologist and self-confessed “psych junkie”, Jolene.
