As Singapore’s leading and life-time mental health advocate, I speak out passionately on mental illness and ageing issues in the media that includes newspapers, TV, radio and even magazines such as the 8 days. I have to-date authored 25 books and written more than 270 letters to the press over a 10-year period. That works out to about 27 letters a year or 2 letters per month. I have fought the good fight, and brought so much positive changes to the mental health care system and support for our elderly. If you follow my letters closely, you would know. And I did it –MY way.
But it is time someone takes over the baton. To be
an advocate for the mentally ill, one must be prepared to write to the
press. I have done this on hundreds of
occasions –without fear, but with a genuine desire to save and reclaim lives so
that Singapore can be the BEST home to live, work and play in for EVERY
citizens.
Now, check out this letter, folks:
Raymond Anthony Fernando's letter to 8 Days Magazine: No more lonely nights
My letter on the above subject is published in the 8 days magazine this
week:
It is always enlightening and
rewarding watching documentaries produced by Channel NewsAsia. It has produced excellent shows that touch on
social issues affecting many citizens all over the world, including Singapore.
Its latest documentary, Loneliness can kill you, is yet another
gem. The programme highlights issues
which many elderly face, includes lonelines which has led to some seniors falling into depression and losing the
will to live.
Television with its mass
appeal is a good platform to raise the plight of the marginalised as it can
help to set the community thinking. It
can also help urge policy makers to craft and fine-tuning policies that support
our silver-haired citizens in their twilight years.
I also hope this show will
spur our youth to come forward and volunteer their time with our seniors, even
if it’s just to be a friend.
Raymond Anthony Fernando
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