My letter to The Straits Times on the above
matter is published today, Friday 3rd March 2017
It is not every day when a patient struggling with
serious mental health issues comes out openly to share her journey, and to this
end, I have nothing but admiration for Miss Julia Abdullah (Fear of ridicule stops people with OCD from seeking help;
Feb, 28).
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is not at all easy to
cope with. The bizarre behaviour that patients display during the onslaught of
the illness is bound to pose relationship problems.
And when people fail to understand what the sufferer is
going through, they become judgmental and prejudice sets in.
People like Miss Julia can take heart in the recent
Budget announcement during which Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced more
support for people with disabilities and those with mental health issues
(Increased aid to tackle dementia, mental health issues; Feb 21).
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is not
at all easy to cope with. The bizarre behaviour that patients display during
the onslaught of the illness is bound to pose relationship problems.
In addition, stronger support for people with
disabilities will come in the form of the third Enabling Masterplan, a road map
for disability services, which will cover the period 2017 to 2021.
Raymond Anthony Fernando
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