Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 Preview

August 10, 2021

By Max Yeo (22A13A)

There are times when we feel devastatingly alone. When we are plagued by our troubles, doubts, and insecurities, while everyone else seems to be doing fine. When we feel afraid and anxious as others are confident and on top of things. When we seem to be stuck in the past while others are moving towards their future. And yet, somehow, this loneliness is felt by nearly everyone – we all have our anxieties, our fears, and our insecurities, and there’s no need to be alone when dealing with them.

2021 marks the seventh year of Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), an annual week-long event organised by the Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP). It aims to spread awareness of various mental health conditions and encourage Rafflesians to take better care of their mental health. This year, MHAW will feature talks by external speakers, booths and presentations by this year’s batch of Peer Helpers, schoolwide challenges, and more.

This year’s MHAW theme is Alone, Together. As the chairperson of PHP, Joy Lim, reflected, “some of us might feel lonely and forced to face the odds all by ourselves during this period, as it became difficult to reach out to others. But we want everyone to know that they are not alone, and that we are here for them.” No matter how lonely we feel, there are others who struggle through similar difficulties every day, and we can and should always support one another. From 12th to 20th August, keep an eye out for some of the exciting activities in store.

MHAW Projects by the Peer Helpers

Mental health is a wide-ranging and diverse area, and the Peer Helpers have formed project groups to spread awareness of and start conversations about specific areas of interest. These projects can be viewed at the canteen walkway, along with flyers, stickers, and games for you to enjoy. Every day, one (or two) projects will be featured, with special activities at the booths and presentations after the talks by guest speakers.

Read on to learn about the various projects, and remember to visit our booths to get free goodie bags and stand a chance to win a lucky draw!

Attached

Have you ever felt uncomfortable and alone even as you interact with others? It could be due to your attachment style, which can cause complications in your interpersonal relationships. Check out this booth to find out more about attachment styles and their associated characteristics. This group’s presentation will be on 16 August, 4-5pm.

Project Corporis

Many of us suffer from having negative body images: we compare our own bodies to unrealistic ideals and feel embarrassed and ashamed that we can’t measure up to them. However, with 8 in 10 teens in Singapore feeling this way, there’s no need to feel alone in this struggle. Look in the mirror at this group’s booth and explore how you really feel about your body, and how to overcome your negative body images. This group’s presentation will be on 19 August, 4-5pm.

L(Anguish)ing

While others seem to be accomplishing so much with their lives, sometimes it can feel like our own lives are empty and stagnant, and we waste away our days without meaning or purpose. This sense of languishing is actually quite common, and there are healthy ways to improve your mental wellbeing. Come to this booth to find out whether you’re languishing, learn how to move towards flourishing, and collect stickers to raise awareness. This group’s presentation will be on 13 August, 4-5pm.

ImPasta

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong? That you’re inadequate and only got here through luck? You may be suffering from imposter syndrome, the sensation that you don’t deserve to be where you are. Learn about strategies to cope with your imposter syndrome and to validate the concerns of others who may feel the same way. This group’s presentation will be on 13 August, 4-5pm.

Dissociation

Dissociative disorders involve experiencing a disconnection between one’s thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity. Though relatively obscure, their effects can be intensely damaging and unhealthy, causing problems with everyday functioning. At this booth, find out more about the different types of dissociative disorders and learn to identify them in yourself and your peers. This group’s presentation will be on 17 August, 4-5pm.

Project Meliora

Be it traumatic past events, uncertainty about your own identity, or simply puberty-driven agitation, there are several reasons why you may find it difficult to trust your peers, and may even feel paranoid at times. At this booth, play games, take personality quizzes, and more, to forge stronger bonds with your friends and overcome your sense of mistrust. This group’s presentation will be on 16 August, 4-5pm.

See the OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder causes afflicted individuals to experience intrusive thoughts and the need to engage in ritualistic behaviour. These compulsions, such as repeated cleaning or handwashing, often negatively affects the daily lives of those who suffer from OCD, and can leave them socially isolated. Learn more about OCD and how to be understanding and caring towards individuals suffering from OCD. This group’s presentation will be on 17 August, 4-5pm

Zoom Anxiety

COVID-19 has caused us to spend far too much time staring at Zoom calls, which can make us feel more self-conscious and lonely. Known as Zoom Anxiety, this feeling of awkwardness and isolation is more common than most people think, and it’s normal to experience it after spending too much time on video-conferencing platforms. Check out this group’s booth and watch them explain the causes and effects of Zoom Anxiety to you – over a Zoom call, of course. This group’s presentation will be on 18 August, 1-3pm.

BreakOut!

This project revolves around exploring social anxiety, an intense fear experienced in social settings. People suffering from this anxiety disorder often face difficulties talking to people and forming emotional bonds which are so vital to our daily lives. Learn more about social anxiety, take a quiz, and write supportive messages at this group’s booth! This group’s presentation will be on 18 August, 1-3pm.

Forget FOMO, Just JOMO

We all know the feeling: you open Instagram and watch all your friends, classmates, and CCA mates going out and having fun – but without you. This fear of missing out (FOMO) is a result of social media, which only allows us to see the curated aspects of other peoples’ lives. At this booth, identify your own fear of missing out, learn how to combat it, and lend support to others in the same boat by sharing supportive messages. This group’s presentation will be on 12 August, 4-5pm.

Depression

Depression is the most common mental health disorder among youths, especially now with sudden, abrupt changes affecting every aspect of our daily lives. At this booth, learn more about what depression exactly is, and how to seek help for yourself and for others if you recognise symptoms of depression. This group’s presentation will be on 20 August, 4-5pm.

Talks by Guest Speakers

We have invited several illustrious speakers for this year’s edition of MHAW, who hail from diverse backgrounds and have wide-ranging experiences with mental health. From film screenings to mindfulness workshops, read on to find out more about the various programmes on offer!

The Silent Killer by BG Chua Jin Kiat (Thursday, 12 August, 4-5pm)

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“In this day and age, modern Singapore is a fast-paced society with multi-faceted pressures of life. From education and exams, to daily livelihood issues, family issues, there are unseen stressors which affect us, and the people around us. Even in National Service, I have seen many young men struggling to adapt, not just to the rigours of the military, but also the realities of life. Do we know where are the avenues for help? Do we still see it as taboo to talk about our own mental well-being, as well as that of our friends and loved ones? I will be sharing from my personal and work experiences on ways to manage these stresses of life and tackle the problem of mental health stigma in society.”

Seeking the Pause in Everyday Living by Gary Chia (Friday, 13 August, 4-5pm)

“School life can often be a stressful experience for many students, and oftentimes, there may be feelings of being overwhelmed by social and academic challenges and demands. With mindfulness, and the deliberate training of the mind to be focused and present, this helps with not just our anxieties but teaches us to be compassionate to ourselves and others. Over time, one will also develop better self awareness and resilience to stressful situations. Through a series of experiential and interactive activities and exercises, this session aims to build awareness around the benefits of mindful practices to help young people to overcome difficulties, thrive and flourish.”

Mindful Self-Compassion Mini-Workshop by Carmen Teo (Monday, 16 August, 4-5pm)

“Everyone goes through major changes in life – physically and mentally. Changes can come with difficulties and create emotions that are confusing and unpleasant, and leave us feeling more stressed and anxious. During the global pandemic period, uncertainty of the future may bring additional distress. To make matters worse, when we experience difficulties, we may start to compare ourselves with others, feel that we are not good enough, and being critical and harsh on ourselves. How can we learn to manage stress, work with our inner critic and embrace who we really are? And at the same time, still being able to motivate ourselves, persist in our efforts, and fulfil our best potential in what we do? This short workshop incorporates science-based practices based on mindfulness and self-compassion that help you deal with the struggles we face whether as a teen or an adult. We will learn a few self-compassion techniques to respond to difficulties we can immediately apply in our daily lives when we face emotional distress.”

#MYHEARTSPACE#MYHEARTSPEAKS by Ms. Ng Sook Wai (Tuesday, 17 August, 4-5pm)

“In 2020, you wrapped up 10 years of primary and secondary school life and went straight into your final phase of education as Year 5 students in 2021. Amidst handling the transition to JC and academic stress, you have to deal with the new normal in a world struggling with a pandemic. You have to live with social distancing measures, while no longer able to experience the full vitality of JC life, connections, and friendships. #MYHEARTSPACE #MYHEARTSPEAKS is a little project that aims to bring to you the fun and joy of artmaking in the safety of your home. I hope to let you experience and re-think your creativity in the way you study, love, be loved, play and live.”

Igniting Change and Empowering our Youths for Good in Reimagining the Future of Youth Mental Health by Cho Ming Xiu; Sharing on Scoliosis and Eating Disorder by Elizabeth Paulyn and Huang Huangyan (Wednesday, 18 August, 1-3pm)

Ming Xiu will be sharing his start-up journey at Campus PSY, from an initial ground-up movement while volunteering with his team at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in 2016, to the current registered youth mental health non-profit organization, that promotes mental health awareness and peer support among youths and young adults in the schools and workplaces through advocacy, training, support, volunteering and intervention, to create an inclusive and supportive community for youths with mental health issues. He will also be touching on how we can rally our youths to be the catalyst of change in the mental health landscape in Singapore, through strategic partnerships and effective outreach strategies. To create a safe space in empowering our youths to reach out for help, and provide support to their peers, with the mission of building a stronger community together.

Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Society Through the Lens of a Social Worker by Mr. Zhang Liren (Thursday, 19 August, 4-5pm)

Having served as a social worker for 8 years, Mr Zheng Liren will draw on his ground-up experiences to give us an understanding of how COVID-19 has impacted families in the lower socio-economic strata. He will also share on how the pandemic has affected everyone’s mental wellbeing, and what social workers have been doing in this climate to alleviate the situation.

“I Can’t” Suicide Prevention Short Film and Panel Interview by Ian Teng, Janelle Tan, Izzul Adham, Wang Junwu, and Ms. Alexis Lion (Friday, 20 August, 4-5pm)

“I Can’t” is an award-winning short film by Raffles Institution Peer Helpers that garnered the Audience’s Choice Award in the Singapore Mental Health Film Festival (SMHFF) Short Film Youth Competition 2021. There will be a film screening of the short film and a panel interview with the production team to find out the behind-the-scenes concept of the film.

Signing up for and participating in the activities above can win you a variety of goodies and prizes, from tote bags to table tennis sets! Check out our Upcoming Events page for more details on the challenges you can complete to win prizes.

And that concludes the preview of MHAW’21! Joy, and the rest of the Peer Helpers, hopes that all students “will have a better understanding of mental health issues” after their participation in MHAW this year. Maybe then can we understand that there is an entire community going through many of the same challenges we’re facing. That, though we may feel lonely and scared and anxious, there is always, always, people who can help and support you. Maybe then we can finally learn to be alone, together.

Find out more about the challenges and prizes on offer here: https://rafflespeerhelpers.wordpress.com/upcoming-events-happenings/

Sign up for the various talks and presentations here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekK_snF0Qfp0it2fmaHxmIZ4ZqSHQc68N0wjk9Cb8Tb-jzVA/viewform