Saturday, December 20, 2014

Christmas 2014: Raymond's letter to The Straits Times: Spread some love this Christmas


My letter to the Straits Times on the above matter is published today, Saturday 20th December 2014.

Beautifully decorated buntings, colourful lights, greeting cards expressing messages of goodwill, and turkey dinners with family and friends are some of the joys of Christmas that many can look forward to.

But for some people who have lost their loved ones, or whose loved ones are grappling with life-threatening illnesses or mental illness, Christmas can be a time of sorrow.

 Even as Christmas carols are aired on radio and in shopping malls, it can literally be a "silent night" for them.

Christmas can be a joy for these people if love is offered in small ways. The true meaning of Christmas can be summed up in one word: love.

For some people, Christmas means basking in the warmth and love of their families. For others, Christmas means showing love for others.

They can do this by taking the lonely and depressed out for a simple meal, visiting them in a show of neighbourliness, or simply calling them to extend good wishes.

With such simple and thoughtful gestures, Christmas can be a time of healing and renewed strength.


Raymond Anthony Fernando

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Caregiving can be fulfilling experience - Raymond A Fernando's letter to The Sunday Times


My letter to The Sunday Times on the above matter is  published today – Sunday 14th December 2014.

Mr Toh Yong Chuan’s article last Sunday gave us an insightful peek into how professional caregivers take on the noble task of caring for elderly folk, many of whom are struggling with sickness and isolation.

The task is physically and emotionally draining. Moreover, many of the elderly and the sick tend to be bad-tempered and stubborn, and are not easy to get along with.


Yet, with the unflagging support of caregivers, these folk can enjoy a better quality of life, for nothing beats the human touch.


Providing love, understanding and care for our seniors can be a fulfilling experience.  Our parents gave us life, and it is only proper that we provide them with a better quality of life in their twilight years.


It saddens me to read of elderly folk who are left to fend for themselves when they become sick.


While nursing homes and eldercare services can lighten the load of caregivers, we must never forget to give our seniors the emotional support that can lift the human spirit and allow them to enjoy more good years.



Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

 

 

Saturday, December 13, 2014


Raymond's letter to  The Straits Times Life Section: Writing a good way to heal

My letter on the above subject is published today, Saturday 13th December 2014 in The Straits Times, Life Section.

While writing about our struggles in life, though may be painful at the initial stage, it is a good way to heal, and I speak from my own experience.

With the success of her first novel, former Miss Singapore Universe Marion Nicole Teo can perhaps write more books and give motivational talks (Beauty Queen’s Struggle With Hair Loss, Depression, “Life! Dec 6).

Not many people will want to talk openly about depression as this illness carries a heavy social stigma.

But those who are brave enough to talk about it can inspire others to cope with life’s challenges, knowing fully well that they are not alone in their difficulties.

 
We will all face adversities in life, but the important thing to always remember  is that with perseverance and determination, backed by the love from family and friends, we can become stronger than ever – in body, mind and spirit.

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando 

 

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Raymond 's letter to The New Paper: With treatment, most patients can lead normal lives



My letter on the above subject is published in The New Paper today, Thursday 11 December 2014.

Two lives could have been saved if only treatment of Ms Andrea Tay’s mental illness was sought, and I fully concur with the views of psychiatrists Dr Thomas Lee and Dr Lim Boon Leng as reported in “5 minutes of fury & frenzy” (The New Paper, Dec 4).

One of the biggest obstacles to mental illness recovery is when the patient or even the caregivers are in denial of a loved one’s mental illness. 

In addition, myths and misconceptions surrounding mental illness often prevents caregivers from seeking professional help for their stricken ones.

But the good news is that with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both, most people with mental disorders can lead normal lives.

It is imperative that the family finds sources of support. With the Ministry of Social and Family Development now rolling out more programmes for caregivers, the journey in caring for loved ones with mental illness is going to be much smoother.

COMPETENT

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has a competent team that can help to stabilise patients. It also has a community psychiatry department to monitor their outpatient treatment. 

Indeed, it would be most helpful if friends, grassroots leaders and religious groups play a supporting role so that the mentally ill and their caregivers will not feel alone. 


RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

 

Friday, December 5, 2014

Raymond A Fernando’s letter to the press: Denial about mental illness a big obstacle to recovery


My letter to the press (TODAY newspaper)on the above subject  is published today, Friday 5 December 2014,
I was saddened to read about the murder-suicide reported in “AMK double deaths: Daughter in ‘unsound state of mind’” (Dec 4). Two lives could have been saved if only treatment for Andrea Tay had been sought.
When a person or even his/her carers are in denial about his/her mental illness, it is one of the biggest obstacles to recovery.
In addition, myths and misconceptions surrounding mental illness often prevent carers from seeking professional help for their stricken ones.
Public education on mental illness must be intensified islandwide because many people still believe that faith healers, bomohs (Malay shaman) and mediums can cure sufferers of mental illness. By taking this route, the patient becomes more confused.
When professional treatment is delayed, the patient’s condition worsens. In contrast, with medication, psychotherapy or both, the majority of people with mental disorders can return to a normal lifestyle. Indeed, there are many success stories.
Family members can help by finding sources of information that can help them to understand how the illness affects the person.
Caring for the mentally ill is anything but easy, so it is imperative that the family also finds sources of support for themselves.
With the Ministry of Social and Family Development now rolling out more programmes for carers, the journey of caring for loved ones with mental illness is going to be smoother than it was previously.
The Institute of Mental Health has a competent healthcare team: Doctors, nurses, psychologists and counsellors who can help to stabilise patients, as well as a department of community psychiatry, which monitors outpatient treatment.
Those who are unable to pay for treatment can approach the social workers there for support. My late wife, who coped with schizophrenia for four decades, had benefited from these programmes.
To help patients and families cope better, it would help if friends, grassroots leaders and religious groups play a supporting role, so that the mentally ill and their carers do not feel alone.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
 
 
 

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Raymond 's letter to The Straits Times: Get all parties up to speed on mental illness


My letter to The Straits Times on the above subject was published on Wednesday 3rd December 2014.

It is very true that the onslaught of mental illness takes a heavy toll on caregivers (“Mental illness: Caregivers are forgotten collateral damage”; last Saturday).

Many caregivers experience much anxiety, frustration and anger while their loved ones are battling their mental conditions.


These caregivers are often all alone in trying to help their loved ones.  Those who do not have the willpower to press on will give up.  When this happens, the patient’s condition worsens.


With the discovery of new and better drugs, however, there is a good chance of recovery.  Public awareness of this must be reinforced so that people who need help will step forward for treatment.


Public education for everyone – from government agencies to grassroots leaders to the community – must be intensified.


The case of the Pasir Ris resident who kept banging on walls for years, disrupting the lives of his neighbours, demonstrates the lack of understanding of mental illness (“Mental health check for Pasir Ris ‘neighbour from hell’”; last Friday).


I wonder why the authorities took so long to have the man referred for psychiatric assessment.
With early treatment, the chances of a speedy recovery are better. If cases go untreated, people with mental illness will be viewed as nothing but troublemakers, and stigmatisation of this group will deepen.


This is not the way to go, at a time when the Government is working to build an inclusive society.

Raymond Anthony Fernando