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The Struggle for Self-Compassion: Karen’s Story
By Karen Zainal // A few months ago, I turned 29. I’m embarrassed to admit that it bothered me a great deal. If you’re older than I am, I forgive you for rolling your eyes. As for those of you around my age, I hear your nervous chuckle! We often hear the assertion that age…
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Taxi Conversations: Aznet’s Story
By Aznet T. // When you’re in a taxi, do you make conversation? Lately I’ve been steering topics toward mental health. I might talk about how a mental health social agency trained and matched me to a job: “They helped me for free! I hadn’t worked for five years. They taught me and gave me…
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The Search: Cheryl’s Story
By Cheryl H. // “You are in shock,” she said gently. I let the words sink in and found myself speechless. A wave of relief washed over me; I felt the familiar tightness in my chest followed by tears rising predictably in my eyes and flowing down my cheeks. I had promised myself I wouldn’t…
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Recovery Is Always Worth It: Qin Xu’s Story
By Qin Xu // “The sun will rise and we will try again.” – Truce by Twenty One Pilot. Having battled with different mental illnesses ranging from anorexia to depression since the start of my teenage years, I have learnt that mental health is just as important as physical health. And like any physical illnesses,…
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Recovery is Possible: Alvin’s Story
By Alvin Chew // Since young, I was quite academically inclined. I did well for both my ‘O’ Levels and ‘A’ Levels. My good results in the 1987 ‘A’ Levels earned me the Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarship to read Mathematics and Physics in NUS. I was supposed to become a teacher. However, during my…
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Meaningful Time Management During COVID-19: Paula’s Story
By Paula // The way we manage our time can help or hinder our recovery. Without intentional time management, we might end up lazing around and deteriorating in our mental state, or we could be productive and use our time meaningfully; supporting our recovery. This is even more crucial during this time of COVID-19 when…
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A Balancing Act: Vienna’s Story
I don’t remember much of what I went through from around April 2018 to August 2019. But I knew it was a dark period. My life’s calendar felt like it was partially erased and blanked out. Like flipping through those old-school tear-off almanacs, the ones with red and green Chinese characters, and then finding chunks…
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Don’t Be Blind To The Signs: Heather’s Story
“We went to see the doctor again and he increased the dosage. Sadly, things were never the same again.”
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5 Things I’ve Learnt About Relapse: Sharol’s Story
by Sharol S. // Relapse remains dreaded. Putting that aside, I’ve come to learn from every experience how to better manage my condition. My psychiatrists and counsellors have shared many helpful tips that worked well when I was in need, which I found doable over time. I have learnt to be more sensitive to my…
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When Nothing Seems to Work: A.M.’s Story
By A.M. I’m A.M. and I have depression and anxiety disorder, or what I call, D+A. This has been my reality for the past three and a half years. The dysphoria started when I was 16. There was a ceaseless cloud of malaise and suicidal thoughts. Anxiety attacks were quotidian. I didn’t know what was…
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I Am More Than ‘Okay’: Michelle’s Story
By Michelle L. // It started when I was 15. I remembered feeling like there was something eating away at my very core, and that I was always crying and nauseous. After two years of skipping school and isolating myself, I was diagnosed with major depression. I was relieved that, finally, there was help. However,…
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When Illness is a Stepping Stone Towards Positive Experiences: Kurtle’s Story
By Kurtle // I used to cope with my troubles by self-harming. I have been self-harming since my teens when I was studying in Junior College. I later pursued my studies in Melbourne, where I fell ill. Hence, part of my recovery story happened in Melbourne, Australia, and then in Singapore, where I decided to come…
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My Fight With Depression: Kenneth’s Story
By Kenneth // On 27 Feb 2018, I attempted suicide. Back in Aug 2017, I joined a new company after spending four wonderful years at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH). In the nation’s flagship hospital, I was given numerous opportunities to work with some of the brightest healthcare professionals, administrators and IT engineers in the…
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Depression Lies: Vivien’s Story
By Vivien Y. // Depression is a bad friend. The kind that sticks around and pours poison in your ear. It follows me to work meetings, Friday nights with friends, back home in bed and most recently, it followed me to a gig. You see I’m a singer-songwriter, and sometimes I get asked to perform…
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Three Dangerous Mindsets and Healthier Alternatives: Kevin’s Story
By Kevin W. // A healthy mindset (a belief or way of thinking) is crucial to positive mental health. Why? Because our beliefs largely influence our emotions and responses to stressors. Yet, due to flawed guidance and societal pressures, we subconsciously develop dangerous mindsets that sabotage our potential. When left unchecked, they could lead to…
