Saturday, July 28, 2012

Peer specialists needed to help caregivers of the mentally ill

I refer to the report, “Living with my daughter’s meltdowns” (The New Paper, July 22).

It is a stark reality that caregivers face a great deal of stress in taking care of their loved ones suffering from mental illness.

I relate very well to Madam Cheng’s emotional pain in trying to manage her 30-year-old daughter’s bipolar condition because I myself have witnessed how mental illness can destroy lives – especially when there is no support whatsoever.

If caregivers in this group do not get the vital support that is urgently needed, more and more caregivers will also fall into depression and find life meaningless.

As an experienced caregiver, I have been helping patients and family members cope with the mental illness, sometimes in person or through Facebook. After my story was told in MediaCorp’s TV show EVERYDAY HEROES, I received more patients and family members seeking my help on how to manage mental illness. And some of them are suicidal.

While I am willing to help, I have constraints as my privacy is sometimes invaded.

In America, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides excellent support for both psychiatric patients and their caregivers. NAMI is the nation’s largest non-profit grassroots mental health education, advocacy and support organisation.

NAMI has a Peer Specialist scheme in place in which experience caregivers are paid an allowance to impart their skills and knowledge to caregivers of the mentally ill.

Peer Specialists are mental health consumers who have completed specific training that enables them to enhance a person’s wellness and recovery by providing peer support. Peer Specialists work in a variety of locations, such as peer support centers, crisis stabilization units, respite programs, psychosocial rehabilitation programs, and in psychiatric hospitals. Peer support can be a one-on-one experience or a group of people sharing together.

Singapore should introduce this scheme as part of its mental health service programmes. As mental health providers lack funds, the Ministry of Health (MOH) can providing the funding for the proposed Peer Specialist scheme which currently does not exist.

Most certainly the MOH and its partners needs to play a bigger supporting role in helping to alleviate the emotional, physical and financial pain which caregivers in this group have to endure almost every day in their isolated and lonely lives.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Proposed Medishield enhancements: Raymond's letter to the press

The Ministry of Health's (MOH) proposed MediShield enhancements will benefit many patients, especially the elderly sick and those suffering from chronic illnesses.

It is also heartening that newly diagnosed patients who require inpatient psychiatric treatment will gain from the enhanced coverage. This would indeed encourage more Singaporeans who require treatment to seek it early.

But many long-term psychiatric patients are also worried about rising medical costs. A lot of them are unemployed for long periods and have limited Medisave contributions.

Their caregivers often must give up their jobs to provide round-the-clock supervision, as mental illness can be unpredictable, placing a financial burden on both parties.

Patients such as my wife, who is at risk of falls due to her advanced arthritis, are advised to be admitted to the Institute of Mental Health's medical ward when they have a relapse - in her case, of schizophrenia - to be monitored closely, to prevent falls.

The fees are not cheap. Ward charges are about $1,200 a month, or $40 a day. With costs for medication and treatment such as blood tests, X-rays and electro convulsive therapy, I would have to pay about $4,000 a month.

My wife and I have not benefited from paying MediShield premiums every year. In addition, no insurance company will cover her for any of her physical chronic illnesses because she has mental illness. The psychiatric community needs more support from MOH.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

Friday, July 13, 2012

Appoint block leaders to help residents cope with mental illness


By Raymond Anthony Fernando, Advocate for the mentally ill

I refer to the report in The New Paper(TNP), “He looked like he was possessed” (The New Paper, July 4).

Misconceptions about mental illness are pervasive, and the lack of understanding can have serious consequences on psychiatric patients who often are shunned and left to fend for themselves. It is happening here in our heartlands.


One of the misconceptions of mental illness is that people believe that the sufferers are possessed.  Dispelling these misconceptions through on-going public education and getting patients the support they so badly need is a powerful step towards eradicating the stigma and allaying the fears surrounding brain disorders. 

Next comes support for their family members who will undoubtedly be groping in the dark in trying to cope with a loved one stricken with mental illness.


There has been a surge in the number of people grappling with mental illness in our heartlands and these need to be put in check, otherwise we will create enclaves in our society, leaving the mentally ill and the caregivers ostracized from society.


A couple of weeks ago, there were two TNP reports of men stripping themselves naked in public areas.  These are obviously clear signs that the mind is deeply troubled.  I’m sure there are ways to help these stressed-out individuals cope.

The Institute of Mental Health(IMH) already have their hands full and are doing their part to treat patients who are willing to come forward for treatment. So we need the community to do their share in helping people cope with the stresses of life.


Besides on-going public education on mental illness, I suggest that the government  through their respective Members of Parliament (MP) appoint block leaders in their respective constituencies to help residents cope with the onslaught of mental illness.


If need be, the block leaders can be paid an allowance and they can serve a couple of blocks where residents can touch base with them if and when they discover that anyone is behaving in a less than normal way.  Needless to say, the block leaders must be trained in basic mental health care. 


Block leaders can be either grassroots leaders or activists serving the MPs.  Once every MP in Singapore has compiled a list of these block leaders, they can send their names to IMH or the Singapore Mental Health Association so that these mental health providers are fully aware that the appointed block leaders are there to partner them in helping to encourage treatment. 



RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO






Sunday, July 1, 2012

Thursday 19th July 2012- “EVERYDAY HEROES”, Channel 5, 9pm

Thursday 19th July 2012- “EVERYDAY HEROES”, Channel 5, 9pm just before the English News

A new TV local production that highlights people who make a difference. People who want to save lives and give love and support & understanding to those who badly need it.
In this particular episode, my wife, Doris & I speak candidly about her struggles with schizophrenia & depression for 40 years, her advanced arthritis condition, and the power of unconditional love that is helping my wife to cope.

 An insightful peak into an illness (schizophrenia) that is often not talked about, we share candid true accounts of what goes through her troubled mind and mine when Doris falls into a relapse. The journey of a caregiver for 37 years; counting that will encourage caregiving to be taken to a higher level. How I have helped my wife to become an author of 7 books.

 A programme that will create more awareness of mental illness and how I am helping others to cope with depression and other types of mental disorders.
Catch it - Thursday 19th July, Channel 5, 9pm - just before the English News at 9.30pm! Thanks.
Sincerely,
Raymond Anthony Fernando
View it here:
http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-9/1dkv7c6yb