My letter to the
press (The New Paper) on the above subject appears today, Wednesday 11th
March 2015. Do check it out!
It was heartrendering to read of how a 25-year-old
Vietnamese woman lost her life because she heard voices in her head, as
reported in “Car slams into her as she was falling” (The New Paper, Mar 5).
People may hear voices in their head if they suffer from conditions
such as psychosis, schizophrenia or depression.
But sadly, in many cases, when there is ignorance of
mental illness and when proper treatment is not sought, it can lead to dire
consequences, as in the case of Ms Ho Chieu.
Although public education on mental health issues has
helped patients to seek professional treatment, nurses at the Institute of
Mental Health (IMH) tell me that there are still family members who take their
stricken loved ones to mediums or bomohs instead of to a hospital for
treatment.
With many foreigners coming to work, study or even become
spouses here, it is imperative that they too learn about mental health
issues.
I would suggest that agencies and associations involved
with them tie-up with our mental health providers to include mental health
education as part of their learning journey.
With the recent budget announcement of $500 being given
for continuous learning, some of those who have foreigners in their schools and
companies should also make use of it to learn about mental health issues from
the professionals and volunteers at IMH.
Let us make every effort to help our foreigners who move
here to secure a good future in Singapore.
RAYMOND ANTHONY
FERNANDO
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