Media – An Important Role in De-stigmatizing Mental Illness

Dear all,

Do find time to read this article, here on Happy TV. It is high time that compassion is shown to those who make huge sacrifices as caregivers to the mentally ill and yet, suffer all alone. Pope Francis has repeatedly called on Catholic Churches all over the world to fully support the mentally ill & their caregivers. Is this being practiced?

 

Thanks

Sincerely,

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

About 5 years ago when my wife was still alive, a lady friend told me that in a game show on a TV program in America, people were asked to name secrets, which they would be too shameful to reveal or talk about.  They were given a list of three secrets to choose from:  Taking drugs on the sly, robbing people and having a mental illness.  Surprisingly, most people chose to have a mental illness as the most shameful thing to reveal.

I have much admiration for people who are willing to speak candidly on mental health issues. One such person is Ms. Sukriti Drabu whose letter to the Straits Times gave insightful peeks into the reality of mental illness (“Raise awareness of realities mental illness sufferers' face”; Wednesday 5th Oct 2016).  I applaud her for her candid views and am in full agreement with her that awareness and open discussions on mental illness are elusive.  This attitude has to change if we want to work towards giving every citizen equal opportunities with a meaningful purpose in life.

It is not just teens who are vulnerable to mental health issues like eating disorders and depression, but the elderly, as well as caregivers of the mentally ill who are often isolated and shunned.  Mental illness must never be viewed as a ‘shameful’ illness, but unfortunately, this is the case because of a lack of understanding and fear are the biggest obstacles to those who have to struggle with mental disorders. Both the sufferers and their caregivers are pleading for acceptance.  Can we not hear their cries for help?

When someone who has been working for decades loses his/her job, they lose key social support and with no fixed monthly income and friends disappearing into thin air, they are likely to fall into depression. This is magnified when they have been caregivers for decades where the risk of suicide is high after they have lost their spouse, for grieving can take years to heal. The reality is that when a depressed person has attempted suicide, he/she is likely to do again if the vital support structure is weak.  I am speaking from real life experiences.

Added to these woes, if a caregiver has chronic illnesses and is unable to receive the much- needed support – be it in terms of financial assistance or home help services when he/she is not able to afford it, they will find life worthless.  This is the grave situation I am in, with cataract formation in both my eyes.

I am not eligible for the pioneer generation package with just 6 months short of receiving its benefits; unable to receive any form of financial assistance from the Silver Support Scheme and the monthly financial assistance scheme from the Catholic Church of the society St Vincent De Paul (SVDP) has been stopped after my wife died. The reason given by the SVDP is that the assistance given to me in the past was because my wife was mentally ill.  But does the SVDP not know that the grief I am enduring for more than 2.6 years has triggered a relapse of my depression? 

In today’s developed societies, the mass media is a powerful tool that can impact public perceptions of mental illness.  Inaccurate or incomplete information in the media on mental illness will lead to false beliefs confusion, conflict, and delays in receiving treatment.

That said, I applaud MediaCorp for producing the TV drama “Left behind” where the reality of depression and the toll it takes on sufferers are highlighted. More such shows should be produced. More awareness can be raised through social networks like HAPPY TV. 

In addition, all mental health providers and government agencies should embrace those who are ever willing to share valuable life experiences through talks and not see it as extra work.

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S – 43.8 million, or 18.5% experiences mental illness in a given year. Must we wait for the figures here to equal that in America before we act – swiftly and decisively?     

As the world celebrates World Mental Health day this October, please spare a thought for those who cries for help go unheard.

 

http://happy-tv.com/article/media-an-important-role-in-de-stigmatizing-mental-illness-why-like-dat/

Raymond Anthony Fernando

Model caregiver 2007 & Mental Health Champion 2010

 

Footnote:  You might want to read this as well:

More seniors in Singapore taking their lives

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-seniors-in-singapore-taking-own-lives

 

Letter to The New Paper:  SEX-VIDEO SUICIDE

Punish those who drive others to suicide

My letter to The New Paper (TNP) is published today, Monday 19^th September 2016.

Driving a person to the brink of insanity where one is forced to take one’s own life is a cruel thing to do, and I was moved when I read about the Italian woman in the report “Sex-video shame leads to suicide (The New Paper; Sept 17).

Love is a many-splendored thing, but when it turns sour, and hate and jealousy take control of broken relationships, a lot of things can go dreadfully wrong.

A wrong turn in life can turn one’s whole world upside down.

Depressed people who are ridiculed and humiliated will experience severe emotional pain mixed with guilt, unmanageable anxiety and anger.

When most people commit suicide, they don’t really want to die. They are crying out for help. 

I am glad that the authorities here have come down hard on men who filmed their lovers and then use the videos or photos to blackmail them when love goes bad.

But the Mental Capacity Act should have more bite to deal with those who are instrumental in causing a depressed person to experience a horrible death.

It is devastating for the families of those who commit suicide.

While we cannot put a price tag on a person’s life, the law should not only jail the criminal in such cases, but also make him pay compensation.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Footnote:  Social media platforms such as Wechat, Facebook and Skype are being used by some individuals and syndicates to trap men into engaging in sex conversations and videos after which blackmailing takes place. The law must come down hard on such people who want to destroy lives and make a quick buck.

 

 

Raymond's letter to The New Paper: ZIKA VIRUS : Air updates during ad breaks? It’ll cause unnecessary alarm

My letter to The New Paper on the above matter is published today, Monday 12^th September 2016.

In the letter “Air Zika updates on TV during ad breaks”, (The New Paper; Sept 5) reader Eunice Li Dan Yue suggested that the location of active clusters and the number of cases be constantly provided on the small screen. 

I do not agree as I believe this may cause alarm. 

It should be enough to have Zika updates broadcast during the news.

The authorities have advised Singaporeans to remain calm, and assured us that everything is being done to ensure the disease is under control.

People need to be educated on the prevention of infectious diseases, but we cannot live in fear all the time.

A few days ago, a feeder bus driver advised me not to travel to Aljunied and other areas with Zika clusters.

But I do not see any need to just stay at home and watch TV.

This is precisely why there must not be an overkill of the Zika virus updates.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Raymond 's letter to The New Paper: SEXUAL ORIENTATION GAMES : Switch games for talent show

My letter on the above matter is published today in The New Paper

There has been a fierce debate over the recent sexualised games at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Given that the image of NUS has taken a beating following the negative publicity, it is timely that the student’s union has aplogised for the freshman orientation games that went dreadfully wrong. 

NUS needs to go further to rebuild its image as it is reputed to be a world- class university which attracts students from across the globe. 

Ragging that borders on humiliating females through sexually driven games must cease.  

Already there have been reports of the students who participated in the games being on the receiving end of unkind comments, and this can adversely affect their self- esteem. 

While ragging students is a common practice in universities worldwide, it is vital to recognise that we in Singapore are very much an Asian society with conservative views. 

Therefore, it is crucial to carry out such activities in a decent and acceptable manner, though in a light-hearted way.

I propose that for future orientation games, the organisers at NUS could incorporate creative talent shows and real life situations that are done in a wacky and fun manner.  

America’s Got Talent is a popular TV show that attracts large viewership worldwide.

So why not organise a “NUS Got Talent show” where students can perform either solo, in pairs or as a team. 

It can be done tastefully and there is bound to be laughter and bonding as male and female students display  talents through singing,  sketches  or even circus acts. 

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

 

Raymond's letter to The Straits Times: Involve suicide survivors and caregivers in help programmes

My letter to The Straits Times on the above subject is published today, Monday 1^st August 2016.

I agree with Madam Catherine Soh that the Ministry of Education (MOE) should introduce programmes that will equip students with skills to stay resilient (“Teach students basic counselling, stress-coping skills”; July 29).

The rise in teenage suicides is an unhealthy trend and, left unchecked, will not only cause anxiety in parents and educators, but also increase the workload of mental health care providers, the police and the courts (“Teen suicides ‘highest in 15 years but overall rate falls’”; July 26).

It is important to remember that caregivers – in this case, the teens’ parents – are themselves vulnerable to falling into depression.

Undoubtedly, teens going through life’s journey will have to grapple with relationship issues – be it with their parents or the opposite sex – stress over getting good grades and stay resilient in a fast-paced society such as ours.

Sometimes, teens do not communicate with their parents, either because their parents hardly spend time with them or because they find it hard to relate to them.

The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) has taken the right step by equipping staff at the SOS Services and Training Centre to help our young people.

Suicide survivors who have overcome adversity and rebuilt their lives, as well as resilient caregivers who have helped their loved ones coping with mental health issues to a full recovery, can be an inspiration to our troubled youngsters and their parents.

To this end, I urge the SOS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to invite suicide survivors as well as caregivers to share their experience through talks and workshops.

At the end of the day, people must be able to see recovery and learn that despite challenges we all face, life must be valued at all times.

In addition, the caregiving journey, though arduous, must be treated as a noble task, and never a burden.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-on-the-web/involve-suicide-survivors-and-caregivers-in-help-programmes

 

Raymond's letter to The Straits Times: No room for abuse in schools

My letter to The Straits Times on the above subject is published today, Friday 22^nd July 2016.

It is troubling to read the report of a primary school teacher from Gongshang Primary School who has been accused of mistreating children under her charge (“MOE probes school teacher abuse claims”; last Saturday).

Words used in a degrading manner will not only affect the students’ self-esteem, but can cause other students not on the receiving end of hurtful remarks to resort to such name-calling, causing disunity in the classroom.

Going to school must be an enjoyable learning experience for both students and educators. It must not be a place where students dread to go.

More importantly, teachers must be mindful that the punishment they mete out that seeks to shame and embarrass children may cause long-term psychological damage.

Students are already feeling stressed out by their studies and tuition, and should be receiving encouragement, not disparagement.

Teachers, although under pressure to bring out the best in students, must exercise patience when teaching their students and this is a quality which the Ministry of Education must drive home to them.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/no-room-for-abuse-in-schools