My letter to The New
Paper on the above matter is published today, Monday 21st September
2015 on page12.
I am deeply saddened that a young adult, Sujay Solomon
Sutherson, has killed his mother in a violent tragedy. The report “We didn’t expect such severe
violence” (The New Paper, Sept 16) was so heartrending that it brought tears to
my eyes.
Patients struggling with schizophrenia that is left
untreated can be plagued by auditory hallucinations and delusions so
overwhelming that they perceive a need to defend themselves and go on the
attack. It is often the voices in their
troubled minds that drive them to do wrong.
Antipsychotic medications can suppress these voices in
their minds, though relapses may occur if patients find it challenging to keep
up with their treatment regimes.
It is also not easy for caregivers to persuade their loved
one to always comply with their doctor’s prescriptions. There can be arguments
that tear families apart.
It is unclear if this young man and his family received sufficient
patient care and caregiver support from professionals.
It was reported that he was jobless. Had he been able to
find work through a dedicated case manager, it could have helped in his
recovery. Work works for the mentally ill.
It gives them dignity and sense of self worth. This year’s World Mental
Health Day theme is, “Dignity in Mental Health.” Keeping this in mind, we should intensify public
education on mental illness adopting a holistic approach, with doctors taking
care of clinical aspects and resilient patients and caregivers sharing their life
experiences.
Greater awareness is key in saving and reclaiming lives
and preventing such tragedies.
RAYMOND ANTHONY
FERNANDO
Footnote: Every child I am sure loves his/her mother,
and I am confident that this 34-year-old man does as well. But can you imagine
how he would feel when he is stabilized and comes to his senses. Then realizes that he has killed his dear
mum.
It is high time that public education as outlined by me in this press
letter must continue relentlessly and stretched out island-wide. I have 40
years’ experience that has not only brought my late wife (she had schizophrenia
for more than 4 decades) to a full recovery, but I managed to help her become
an author of 8 books– half of it bestsellers. How many patients with this condition have
achieved some remarkable success – in Singapore and even in Asia? Yet my expertise
is not valued. I am now 65; going on 66 in Feb next year and
I want to do all I can to help these marginalized citizens, even though I face
HUGE obstacles in wanting to save lives. There is far too much resistant because
people don’t like to do what they perceive as “Extra Work”.
PM Lee has called on all Singaporeans to step forward to help the government
and I try so hard to do that. My
advocacy journey has been met with curses – both at me and my wife. When I request for funding to write my books,
hurtful comments , like , “ He thinks we
owe him a living”, are said behind my back. And such insensitive remarks
are made by the very organization that I fully support and speak up for. But I
fear no one, because as a Christian, I am taught to feel for another human being. On all accounts, I am God-fearing.
2 weeks ago, while waiting for the bank to open, I got into a
conversation with a young mother and she was pleasantly surprised - to learn that
my wife authored 8 books. She immediately purchased my novel, “Loving a schizophrenic” and strongly
advised me to reach out to the Parents’ Support Group in schools – to educate
the young as well as their parents on mental illness. So it’s over to you, Mr Heng Swee Keat.
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