Letter to The New Paper: Internet clip showing woman shouting on MRT train
Stop humiliating the mentally ill
Raymond 's letter is published in The New Paper today, Sat 9 October 2010, page 29.
Isolation. Depression. Shame. Guilt. Loneliness. Stigmatisation. Mental illness cause these.
Stigmatisation can cause discrimination in the workplace and in the community, unnecessary violence and inappropriate hospitalisation.
Sufferers will experience a loss of self esteem, self worth and a complete loss of hope.
In extreme cases, the effects of the stigma can lead them to harm themselves.
A video titled Stressed has been uploaded on YouTube and features a woman shouting at passengers on the MRT.
At one point, the woman scolds a man who is sitting on the priority seats and chases him away.
The video is fast becoming viral.
Netizens, including those on Facebook have passed all kinds of humiliating and insensitive comments about the woman, who is obviously unstable.
“Siao char bor” (crazy woman) one netizen commented.
This insensitive remark leads others to poke fun and humiliate the woman.
Here is one comment I saw: “Oh my God. Ha ha. Need someone like this in every carriage on the MRT. Then no one will sit on the reserved seats.”
Another one commented on her state of mind and warned: “Stay away from her...”
There were more comments, some of them even more offensive.
With the new media reaching out to millions, such degrading comments will further stigmatise the mentally ill.
The bottom line - when people don't understand mental illness, they become biased towards the sufferers.
In general, people tend to fear or dislike what they don't know because they view it as a threat.
I urge the Government to enforce the Mental Capacity Act and take swift action against those who deliberately abuse and humilate the mentally ill.
To this end, I suggest we rope in stigma busters among mental health care providers, grassroots leaders and advocates within the community who can help identify such perpetrators.
As we mark World Mental Health Day tomorrow, I hope that those who discriminate against the mentally ill will spare a though for pyschiatric patients who are struggling to cope with their illnesses.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Insensitive video- "Stressed"
Viewpoints: Letter to My Paper: Spare a thought for the mentally ill
Raymond's letter to MY Paper is published today, Thursday 7 October 2010 on page A17
Sufferers of mental illness are often stigmatised, which leads to discrimination in the workplace and the community.
These people experience a range of emotions, from depression and shame to guilt and loneliness.
Their self-esteem drops and they get overcome by a sense of hopelessness. In extreme cases, the stigma attached to their condition leads them to commit suicide.
Recently, a video titled, “Stressed” was uploaded on YouTube. It features a woman ranting and raving at passengers on board an MRT train and, at one point, she scolds a man on the priority seat and chases him away. The video has gone viral. To date, the original video has been viewed more than 330,000 times.
Netizens, including Facebook users have passed all kinds of insensitive comments about the woman, who is obviously unstable.
“Siao char bor” (crazy woman) one netizen commented.
With the new media reaching out to millions, such degrading comments will further stigmatise the mentally ill.
The bottom line is this: People become biased towards the mentally ill because they do not understand mental illness.
In general, people tend to fear or dislike what they do not know know because they view it as a threat.
I urge the Government to take action against those who abuse and humilate the mentally ill.
Mental heath-care providers, grassroots leaders and advocates for the mentally ill may be able to help identify such perpetrators.
As we celebrate World Mental Health Day on Sunday, I hope that those who discriminate against the mentally ill will spare a though for pyschiatric patients who are struggling to cope with their illness.
MR RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
Advocate for the mentally ill
Raymond's letter to MY Paper is published today, Thursday 7 October 2010 on page A17
Sufferers of mental illness are often stigmatised, which leads to discrimination in the workplace and the community.
These people experience a range of emotions, from depression and shame to guilt and loneliness.
Their self-esteem drops and they get overcome by a sense of hopelessness. In extreme cases, the stigma attached to their condition leads them to commit suicide.
Recently, a video titled, “Stressed” was uploaded on YouTube. It features a woman ranting and raving at passengers on board an MRT train and, at one point, she scolds a man on the priority seat and chases him away. The video has gone viral. To date, the original video has been viewed more than 330,000 times.
Netizens, including Facebook users have passed all kinds of insensitive comments about the woman, who is obviously unstable.
“Siao char bor” (crazy woman) one netizen commented.
With the new media reaching out to millions, such degrading comments will further stigmatise the mentally ill.
The bottom line is this: People become biased towards the mentally ill because they do not understand mental illness.
In general, people tend to fear or dislike what they do not know know because they view it as a threat.
I urge the Government to take action against those who abuse and humilate the mentally ill.
Mental heath-care providers, grassroots leaders and advocates for the mentally ill may be able to help identify such perpetrators.
As we celebrate World Mental Health Day on Sunday, I hope that those who discriminate against the mentally ill will spare a though for pyschiatric patients who are struggling to cope with their illness.
MR RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
Advocate for the mentally ill
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
GOODBYE, MRS LEE (MM Lee's wife)
A timely reminder to value marriage
Raymond's letter to The New Paper on the passing of Mrs Lee (MM Lee's wife) is published in The New Paper today, Wed , 6th Oct 2010, page 22.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's candid revelations in The New York Times about his personal life, which came just weeks before Mrs Lee's death , were a timely reminder to all of us to value and cherish the marriage bonds.
Undoubtedly, MM Lee has observed the sanctity of marriage in every sense of the word by caring and loving his wife “in sickness and in health.”
People will have to grapple with pain and suffering when they see their loved ones struggle with life-threatening illnesses, till the inevitable end.
Love can be wonderful, but it can also be very painful when suffering places us in despair.
Yet there is something hidden in suffering which makes us more aware of who we are, why we are here and where we are heading.
And in a moment of suffering, that awareness become intense.
It was good that MM Lee spoke about the pain of caring for his bedridden wife, and I'm sure that on this day, the thoughts of many Singaporeans will be with him and his family.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
Raymond's letter to The New Paper on the passing of Mrs Lee (MM Lee's wife) is published in The New Paper today, Wed , 6th Oct 2010, page 22.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's candid revelations in The New York Times about his personal life, which came just weeks before Mrs Lee's death , were a timely reminder to all of us to value and cherish the marriage bonds.
Undoubtedly, MM Lee has observed the sanctity of marriage in every sense of the word by caring and loving his wife “in sickness and in health.”
People will have to grapple with pain and suffering when they see their loved ones struggle with life-threatening illnesses, till the inevitable end.
Love can be wonderful, but it can also be very painful when suffering places us in despair.
Yet there is something hidden in suffering which makes us more aware of who we are, why we are here and where we are heading.
And in a moment of suffering, that awareness become intense.
It was good that MM Lee spoke about the pain of caring for his bedridden wife, and I'm sure that on this day, the thoughts of many Singaporeans will be with him and his family.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
Monday, October 4, 2010
Mental illness: Vital for caregivers to have support
My letter on the above subject \was published in The New Paper on Monday 4th October 2010.
I refer to the report, “Father and son were always together (The New Paper, Sept 27).
The alleged murder-suicide case involving Mr Shariffudin Abdul Kader and his mentally disabled son is yet another heart-wrenching story of how many families are struggling to cope with mental illness.
Mental illness is never easy to manage. Relationships are torn apart, home and families are lost, and anticipated futures evaporate.
Respect is eroded and a person is often left with nothing and no one — and at a point in their lives when they are the least capable of helping themselves.
This is why caregivers need vital structural support.
It's understandable that many people give up hope and make decisions based on the need to ease the pain of the moment. Mr Shariffudin Abdul Kader who loved his son dearly, probably felt that way.
And so did the Singapore-born Tan Hung Kiat who killed his schizophrenic wife in Australia with a fatal dose of her psychiatric drugs.
The toll of caring full time for his wife for 19 years was clearly too much for him. He was drained out - physically, mentally and probably financially.
The Institute of Mental Health's vision of becoming the leading mental health centre in Asia by 2012 can be realised only if there is an excellent support structure for caregivers.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
I refer to the report, “Father and son were always together (The New Paper, Sept 27).
The alleged murder-suicide case involving Mr Shariffudin Abdul Kader and his mentally disabled son is yet another heart-wrenching story of how many families are struggling to cope with mental illness.
Mental illness is never easy to manage. Relationships are torn apart, home and families are lost, and anticipated futures evaporate.
Respect is eroded and a person is often left with nothing and no one — and at a point in their lives when they are the least capable of helping themselves.
This is why caregivers need vital structural support.
It's understandable that many people give up hope and make decisions based on the need to ease the pain of the moment. Mr Shariffudin Abdul Kader who loved his son dearly, probably felt that way.
And so did the Singapore-born Tan Hung Kiat who killed his schizophrenic wife in Australia with a fatal dose of her psychiatric drugs.
The toll of caring full time for his wife for 19 years was clearly too much for him. He was drained out - physically, mentally and probably financially.
The Institute of Mental Health's vision of becoming the leading mental health centre in Asia by 2012 can be realised only if there is an excellent support structure for caregivers.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Mental illness is a shared responsibility: Raymond's letter to the press
Raymond's letter on the above matter is published in The New Paper today, Tuesday 21 September 2010, page 18.
I refer to the report, “This is her flat but.. this is her bedroom (The New Paper, Sept 11).
The case of Madam Mainam Mahmud and her mentally ill daughter shows yet again how mental illness without family and community support can cause havoc.
Many family members will adopt a hands-off attitude when a loved one is stricken with mental illness. That's the harsh reality.
Caregiving should be a shared responsibility and I hope that the Government will drive home this point.
People with mental illness can recover if they have a sense of belonging and worthiness.
In the case of the daughter, who is equipped with a science degree from the National University of Singapore, I am confident that if she is gainfully employed and continues her treatment, she will recover and go on to lead a normal life.
But an all-out effort must be made to eliminate the prejudices and barriers that those with mental illnesses face.
To tackle mental illness, the Government, the mental health-care providers, voluntary welfare organisations and the community support must play their part.
For a start, the Institute of Mental Health can send out a team to see how best they can help the family.
Next, the relevant town council should help to clean up the Havelock Road flat as the unhygienic condition that the daughter has created because of her obsessive compulsive disorder can be harmful to her, as well to the residents in the nearby flats.
Placing Madam Maniam in a nursing home temporarily will enable the 73-year-old woman to live with dignity.
Let us work together to ensure that the mentally ill and their families have a place in our society. And that they too, can call Singapore the best home to live in.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
I refer to the report, “This is her flat but.. this is her bedroom (The New Paper, Sept 11).
The case of Madam Mainam Mahmud and her mentally ill daughter shows yet again how mental illness without family and community support can cause havoc.
Many family members will adopt a hands-off attitude when a loved one is stricken with mental illness. That's the harsh reality.
Caregiving should be a shared responsibility and I hope that the Government will drive home this point.
People with mental illness can recover if they have a sense of belonging and worthiness.
In the case of the daughter, who is equipped with a science degree from the National University of Singapore, I am confident that if she is gainfully employed and continues her treatment, she will recover and go on to lead a normal life.
But an all-out effort must be made to eliminate the prejudices and barriers that those with mental illnesses face.
To tackle mental illness, the Government, the mental health-care providers, voluntary welfare organisations and the community support must play their part.
For a start, the Institute of Mental Health can send out a team to see how best they can help the family.
Next, the relevant town council should help to clean up the Havelock Road flat as the unhygienic condition that the daughter has created because of her obsessive compulsive disorder can be harmful to her, as well to the residents in the nearby flats.
Placing Madam Maniam in a nursing home temporarily will enable the 73-year-old woman to live with dignity.
Let us work together to ensure that the mentally ill and their families have a place in our society. And that they too, can call Singapore the best home to live in.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
Monday, September 6, 2010
National Service Recognition Award -Older men deserve recognition too - Raymond's letter to the press
My letter to The New Paper is published today, Monday 6 September 2010, page 16.
I refer to the report, “A reward for each NS milestone completed”(The New Paper, September 1).
The new National Service Recognition Award (NSRA) announced by the Prime Minister in his National Day Rally speech is a good scheme.
It will clearly make a distinction between citizens and non-citizens. Most certainly, it will benefit the younger generation.
But I am deeply disappointed that our senior citizens who have also contributed to the defence and stability of Singapore for many years have not been given even a fraction of this incentive.
Why is that?
Male senior citizens have also made sacrifices in performing national service. Their families have spent days and nights alone when their loved ones carried out their military training in Singapore as well as overseas.
I do not buy the argument by Minister of State for Defence Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, that those “who have finished the cycle have benefited from other awards over the years”.
He also said: “The policy is not retroactive... We have to move on and the next generation will benefit.”
I find his statement insensitive to the feelings of older men.
There is far too much emphasis and support for the younger generation, and even though our older males have shown loyalty and commitment to the nation, their contributions do not seem as valued.
If the PAP founding fathers are recognised, why are our older males not given the same recognition as the younger NS men?
I appeal to the Government to rethink its policies so that they will benefit our elderly folks.
Given that many are likely to fall ill in their twilight years, I suggest that, perhaps half of the NSRA incentive (which can amount up to $10,500 for commanders) be given to our older men who have completed national service.
The money can, at least, defray part of their health-care costs.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Raymond's letter to the New Paper: Foreign workers- Give them better support
My letter on the above subject was published in The New Paper on Thursday 2 September 2010.
I refer to the report, “His life was in my trembling hands” (The New Paper, Aug 31).
Most certainly Shin Min Daily News reporter, Miss Law Shu Hui who emphatised with construction worker Wang Yong should be commended for reclaiming a life which could have been lost.
Even though Miss Law has been a reporter for slightly more than a year, she found it in her heart to show love and concern to another human being.
It didn't matter to her if he was a Singaporean or a foreigner. She came forward because she knew that the China national was in distress.
That, to me, is what the Singapore Spirit is all about.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his National Day Rally speech that more foreign workers were needed to keep the economy growing.
Given that more foreigners are set to land on our shores, we need to think of ways of giving them better support as well.
Employers who do not treat their workers fairly should be taken to task. Also, are foreign workers allowed to join unions to proctect them againts unfair work practices?
If not, perhaps, it is time to review the policies and allow these workers to have their own unions that can comes under the ambit of the relevant authorities.
There should also be support groups that can counsel, comfort and find quick solutions to those who are struggling to cope.
Our voluntary welfare organisations in the mental health-care industries could come alongside the Humanitarian Organisation for Migrant Economics (Home) and start support groups.
These would help those who are going through the stresses of life to cope better.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
I refer to the report, “His life was in my trembling hands” (The New Paper, Aug 31).
Most certainly Shin Min Daily News reporter, Miss Law Shu Hui who emphatised with construction worker Wang Yong should be commended for reclaiming a life which could have been lost.
Even though Miss Law has been a reporter for slightly more than a year, she found it in her heart to show love and concern to another human being.
It didn't matter to her if he was a Singaporean or a foreigner. She came forward because she knew that the China national was in distress.
That, to me, is what the Singapore Spirit is all about.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his National Day Rally speech that more foreign workers were needed to keep the economy growing.
Given that more foreigners are set to land on our shores, we need to think of ways of giving them better support as well.
Employers who do not treat their workers fairly should be taken to task. Also, are foreign workers allowed to join unions to proctect them againts unfair work practices?
If not, perhaps, it is time to review the policies and allow these workers to have their own unions that can comes under the ambit of the relevant authorities.
There should also be support groups that can counsel, comfort and find quick solutions to those who are struggling to cope.
Our voluntary welfare organisations in the mental health-care industries could come alongside the Humanitarian Organisation for Migrant Economics (Home) and start support groups.
These would help those who are going through the stresses of life to cope better.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
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