The online report, “Steering committee for mental healthcare issues useful: Halimah Yacob” (Sept 27), is about an issue close to my heart.
Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob said it would be useful to have a committee that allows for feedback and suggestions and that can help people who are experiencing mental health issues on a daily basis. I agree with her that a holistic approach is necessary in tackling these issues.
The views of dedicated carers who have
successfully helped their loved ones to a full recovery can help the proposed
steering committee to formulate policies that would benefit the growing
psychiatric community here.
To this end, experienced carers should also be
prepared to offer their services and be allowed to sit on the committee, to do
more.
Madam Halimah also cited the challenge of stigma
and job discrimination. Many people, employers included, think they know about
mental illness, but they do not. There are many recovering patients who, with
training and support, have hidden talents and can contribute to society.
To this end, it would be in their interest to
remove the requirement in job application forms asking job seekers to declare
if they have a history of mental illness. The Manpower Ministry must lead by
example.
Mental illness is not an identity but an issue
which needs to be tackled quickly, as it is creeping into our schools, the
workplace and the community.
World Mental Health Day is on Oct 10. Let us, as a
community and a government, be a beacon of light and give hope to those who are
struggling to cope with the onslaught of mental illnesses.
Raymond Anthony Fernando
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