Stories from all walks of life key to normalising conversations around mental health
“Everyone has a story to tell, and it is important to ask the right questions, listen and provide unconditional love and support — even if you don't necessarily understand the issue,” says the writer in response to two recent columns in TODAY.
I refer to TODAY journalist Tessa Oh's Adulting 101 column about her journey towards seeking mental health support and how it has helped her since.
Her frank and open sharing will no doubt give many others her age the courage to speak up and seek help when required.
While it has been encouraging to see our public and private sector leaders like DBS chief executive Piyush Gupta and Economic Development Board managing director Chng Kai Fong come out and share their very personal struggles with mental health, it is equally important to hear the stories of people from different walks of life.
Stress, anxiety and other mental ailments are not reserved for a particular group of people.
Hearing just from those in leadership positions might leave someone younger with the impression that their problems are not important or serious enough.
Last month, TODAY also ran a commentary on 3 ways to improve mental health in Singapore.
The authors discussed the importance of improving the general perception of mental health through the mass media.
I would add that it is only when characters in films, TV shows, and books reflect the nuances and not stereotypes of mental health will they help normalise it.
After all, mental health is no different from physical health.
In fact, I thought the Singapore Mental Health Film Festival Youth Competition has, in some ways, shown how far we have come when discussing mental health.
The entries, such as the 2021 Best Overall Film, Dragon Quest, handled the complexities of mental health well, including the fact that there is sometimes no "solution" or "fixing" the problem.
Instead, one has to sometimes learn how to process, cope or come to terms with their situation.
It also reflected how mental health issues are often invisible, hidden and out of sight.
Most importantly, such films remind us that everyone has a story to tell, and it is important to ask the right questions, listen and provide unconditional love and support — even if you don't necessarily understand the issue.
ABOUT THE WRITER:
Chirag Agarwal is the founder of Talk Your Heart Out, a Singapore-based online counselling and coaching platform.
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