The police
have been alerted to a case of a naked man roaming in Tampines and are trying
to establish his identity, “Police investigating case of naked man who roamed
around Tampines” (Channel News Asia; Sept, 14, 2017).
Photographs
of the man wearing nothing but boots, spectacles and a lanyard while carrying a
handphone, taking a public bus and walking near Block 523C Tampines Avenue 9 has
been circulated.
I would not
be surprised at all if the man in question could be having a mental health
issue that is untreated because obviously no person in the right frame of mind
goes around naked in public.
There have
been similar cases in the past where even women have gone nude in public. In addition, there are incidents where
persons with untreated mental health issues have caused disruptions in the
neigbourhood, leaving residents to conclude that they are troublemakers. This
only deepens stigmatisation of mental illness.
Circulating
pictures or videos of persons who expose themselves when they are not aware of
what they are doing will not only humiliate them, but cause much embarrassment
to their relatives and friends as well.
The police have
more pressing issues to handle such as terrorism and crime, so citizens
who can contribute ought to help out.
To help
resolve this growing social problem, I propose we train suitable people in the
neighbourhoods on mental illness by well-established mental health providers
who could include professionals from the Institute of Mental Health, Silver
Ribbon Singapore and the Singapore Association for Mental Health. After they are trained, they can be appointed
as Estate Mental Health Ambassadors (EMHA) to serve in the respective estates.
These
trained EMHAs whose contact numbers can be given on HDB notice boards,
community clubs and on a given website can be contacted to help anyone
grappling with mental illness.
It must
be made abundantly clear to both the EMHAs and the person/s being helped that
patient confidentially will be respected at all times.
As it is
difficult to secure volunteers, an allowance can be given to the EMHAs for
their time, efforts, meals and paper work every time they handle a case. The
funds can come from the community clubs and all cases must be handled with
privacy and confidentially on the person being helped. Once a case has been handled professionally, the
EMHA submits a simple report to the grassroots leader to make a claim. Such allowances can also come from any charity
or organisation that supports mental health.
I urge the government
to support this proposed EMHA scheme so that there will be little or no
disruptions in public places.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
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