-
Book Review: Back From The Brink of Insanity
Back From The Brink of Insanity by Dr. Rita Goh This book is an autobiography of the late Dr. Rita Goh and chronicles in great detail her experiences with schizophrenia. The author writes about her relatively normal growing up years all the way up to the age of 40 and it took 3 chapters…
-
Behind the Hotline: Jay’s Story
Have you thought about seeking help at a counselling centre? Ever wondered whom you’d be speaking with on the other end of the line? Meet Jay, the Intake Officer at Eagles Mediation & Counselling Centre (EMCC). We had a chance to interview her and found out what it’s like to handle daily enquiries at a counselling…
-
Paying It Forward: Vijay’s Story
Editor’s Note: We’re so honoured to have Singapore Peer Specialist, Vijay, share his personal story with us on Tapestry! A humble, unassuming individual who’s ever so encouraging, we certainly need more people like him in our society 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story, Vijay. Let’s impact lives one story at a time.
-
Book Review: Five Little White Pills
Five Little White Pills by Choo Kah Ying Five Little White Pills is a beautifully written book by Choo Kai Ying. In it, she describes in detail her struggles with bipolar disorder, which she refers to as manic depression (MD). The first half of the book begins with her university life as an undergraduate in…
-
Beauty in the Broken: S. Lim’s Story
Editor’s Note: When I read this story, I was very moved by its simplicity and honesty. Our contributor eloquently describes her lifelong struggle with persistent sadness, and the factors (nature + nurture) that contributed to seasons of ‘heaviness’. It is my honour to share this beautiful story by S. Lim. Indeed, there is beauty in our…
-
EmbraceD: An Event Story
By Nicole K. // It was like a meeting of old friends. One thing that stood out was how the EmbraceD team had made me feel—in the truest sense of the word—embraced. Not for my depression or for the work I do, but accepted and welcomed as a person. I’m honoured that they chose to…
-
The One About Relapse
By Nicole K. // First story for 2015! I apologise for being MIA in January. As those with depression and anxiety would know, December and January are the toughest months of the year because it is loaded with stressors mixed in with the merrymaking. Things have been a bit rougher than usual recently. After attending…
-
Make That Difference
By Nicole K. // The starfish story and some personal reflections for 2014. Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking…
-
Our Response To Illness: Dawn’s Story
Editor’s Note: There’s nothing shameful with having a mental health challenge. Mental illness isn’t a choice we make for ourselves. Dawn eloquently expresses the observed contrast in people’s responses towards physical injury and psychological illness. Both are equally real issues.
-
Overcoming the Odds: Sufyan’s Story
I first met Sufyan during this year’s Singapore Mental Health Conference. As we briefly traded war stories in our battle for sanity, I could fully relate to how it was like being homebound and unemployed due to severe anxiety and panic attacks.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
