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Journalling for Recovery: Xicius’ Story
By Xicius // I have struggled with recovery for many years. I made many attempts at recovery and one of them was through writing a diary. I failed miserably on multiple occasions but I realize that this is due to several reasons. The things I wrote about are vague; no concrete goals or intention. Unspecified…
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A Theory of Moods: Vikay’s Story
By Vikay // The issue I struggle with is in having too much mental energy and excitement followed by periods of deep silence. Medically this is diagnosed as Bipolar Disorder. In my childhood I was considered moody. But as I aged and started interacting socially, the peaks of excitement were combined with anger resulting in…
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Voice Out 2017: Challenging Silence and Stigma through Song
By Yi Feng // Martin Luther King Jr. once said: In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Societal stigma, shame and secrecy are commonly associated with mental illness. Many persons with mental health issues (PMHI) retreat within and suffer in silence, particularly at the…
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Boys Don’t Cry: Andrew’s Story
By Andrew Y. // I remember the night I surprised myself with my ability to cry. This was during my National Service. My mum was driving me back to camp and I started to tear while talking about how difficult NS was. It was at that point when I realised that I had a problem, and…
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Recovery is a Journey, Not a Destination: Sam’s Story
By Sam // To others, I appear a tough, strong, and independent girl: life’s hard knocks will not keep me down; I have a solid goal in life, a good career, and a partner. Little did I expect, I hit the rock bottom last April. It began when I felt lost all of a sudden.…
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4 Good Reasons on Why You Need to Have Friends: Judy’s Story
By Judy // It took 2 years for me to realise the importance of friends. It was a scary thought to begin with. But as Nick Vujicic once said: “If you don’t have a friend, be someone else’s friend.” I only started making friends again when I was on a student exchange programme in Europe.…
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Life After Psychosis: Boon Kee’s Story
By Boon Kee // I was diagnosed with psychosis in April 2014 and was hospitalised at the Institute of Mental Health (Singapore) for more than a month. After I was prescribed with medication I was discharged and placed under the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP). Included in this care model are case management services and provide…
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My Stay in “Hougang Chalet”: Victoria’s Story
By Victoria // There is a rising number of people seeking help for mental health, but there is a shortage of beds in the psychiatric wards of government hospitals. This sometimes means they’d have to be transferred to IMH. Yes, IMH! Or otherwise nicknamed “Hougang Chalet”. Whenever I mention “IMH” around people, their eyes would…
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A Letter to Mental Health Warriors: Judy’s Story
By Judy // I initially defined “recovery” as solely the healing of the mind. But neglected the healing of the heart and soul. I wondered if I had wasted the past three years living in apathy and bitterness because I’ve neglected my heart and soul, while getting treated for my mind. To cope with the…
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The Fall: Natalie’s Story
By Natalie // You’re falling into the very same cycle which nearly killed you years ago. And at this very moment, you feel as though no therapy or medication can ever save you. You’re back in that same place again. No amount of mental discipline can control this never-ending, unpredictable swirl of thoughts and emotions.…
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Living with Depression: Natasha’s story
Editor’s note: I met Natasha some time back. Her eyes are bright and there’s a pep in her step. One would never guess the hardship she has endured in her young life.
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Reflections for 2016
By Nicole K. // If I could have one word that summed up the entire year, it would be “self-care”. I haven’t been writing much on this site mainly because of some life adjustments (more on that later on). But here I am, giving it one last gofor the year, at 3.57am, with just the…
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Grown and Flourished: Lea’s story
Editor’s note: One final inspiring story for the road. I really love Lea’s way of conveying her journey. Heartfelt, candid and bittersweet. This is a young person’s courage and compassion right there.
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My Bipolar Experience: Dora’s Story
Editor’s Note: A very brave piece by Dora who shares candidly about her journey with bipolar disorder and its challenging symptoms such as delusions, panic attacks and suicidal ideation.
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A Letter to Mum: A Poem by Niao Yu
Editor’s Note: Niao Yu is a caregiver to his mother who suffers from mental illness. In this poem, he shares his raw feelings of loss, grief, hope and acceptance. A heartfelt moving piece that’s worth the read to the very end.
