October 10th was World Mental Health Awareness Day. And though the day has passed, we must not forget that mental health is an evergreen topic that should be constantly discussed. Prior to the pandemic, it was estimated that one in eight people globally were living with a mental disorder. Now that the better part of COVID-19 is finally behind us, we cannot imagine the marks it has left in all of us, physically and mentally.
Oftentimes, especially in Asia, we may find stigma when it comes to discussing about mental health, and as a result, resources are scarce. The team here decided to compile together a list of books, counselling services, and any other resources that worked for us personally or that we were able to take something away from. We hope that the below will be helpful for you to either get started on your journey easier or to deepen your mental wellbeing.
As part of our awareness campaign, we’ve created a special vase and a wellness event where 100% of the profits are donated to Daughters of Tomorrow. Both were eagerly sold out - thank you to all who supported this cause!
Leave a comment below if you have other resources to share, we'd love to hear what has worked for you.
Some of Our Favourite Reads:
Having spoken to some of our team members, we’ve come up with a quick list of our favourite books related to mental health, give them a look if you’re interested in no particular order:
Something light-hearted:
- Maybe you should talk to someone by Lori Gottlieb
- The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim
Something a little bit heavier:
- Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
- The Well-Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart-Smith
- This Too Shall Pass: Stories of Change, Crisis and Hopeful Beginnings by Julia Samuel
- The Seeker of Well-Being: Retrieve Balance in Accordance with Self by Indrajit Garai
Counselling Services (Complimentary):
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Silver Ribbon Singapore: An organisation whose mission is to combat mental health stigma, encourage early help, and facilitate integration of people with mental illness within the society through innovative means of promoting mental health literacy. They provide basic in-person counselling services at their branches in Serangoon Central (H.O.L.A), Wisma Geylang Serai (The Linkage), and Hougang Street (Raintree Sanctuary) via appointment. Their services are complimentary. To learn more, email them at info@silverribbonsingapore.com for any enquiries.
Locations: Serangoon Central, Wisma Geylang Serai, Hougang
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Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH): They started counselling services back in 1981 with both helpline and face-to-face services for people with psychiatric, psychological, or emotional issues. Call their toll-free helpline at 1800-283-7019 to talk to someone or to set up an appointment with a counsellor, fees are by donation!
Locations: Potong Pasir and more
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Fei Yue: An organisation with the mission to effect life transformation through the provision of quality social services. They offer Community Mental Health services (across Singapore) as well as Family Counselling services (Choa Chu Kang). They also have ec2.sg, a community mental health programme for youths between 12-25 years old. This programme promotes mental resilience by empowering youths to take charge of their mental health by connecting them to available resources, and instilling courage in them to seek help and engage with the community.
Locations: All across Singapore
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Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): Well-known in the Singapore community, SOS is dedicated to providing confidential emotional support to individuals facing a crisis, thinking about, or affected by suicide. They are non-religious and not for profit. SOS has a 24-hour suicide prevention helpline at 1-767 plus a 24-hour CareText option. And of course, they have plenty of resources for getting help.
Location: Tanjong Pagar/ Outram
Counselling Services (Affordable):
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Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) (for women only): An association whose mission is to remove all gender-based barriers to allow individuals in Singapore to develop their potential to the fullest while realising their personal visions and hopes. They offer a helpline at 1800 777 5555 as well as in-person counselling that requires appointment in advance. If your monthly salary is $3,000 and above, the fee for each session is 2% of your salary but if you are not working, or your monthly salary is below $3,000, you will be charged a flat fee of $35 per session.
Pricing: 2% of salary for $3,000 and above, $35 flat fee if salary is under $3,000
Location: Dover
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Counselling and Care Centre: One of the oldest counselling centres in Singapore. They offer in-person and online services, for family, couple, individual counselling, plus more. They have a Counselling Fee Subsidy Scheme (CFSS) for Singaporean/ PR earning under $10,000 every month where the counselling fee is $40 to $150 per hour.
Pricing: $40-150 per hour if salary is under $10,000
Location: Chinatown
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It All Starts Hear SG (IASH): A community of ordinary Singaporeans bridging the gap in Mental Wellbeing by Listening. They connect you up with intern counsellors who are fulfilling their Practicum Hours to become licensed Counsellors, but they also have experienced resident counsellors. For intern counsellors, their rates start at a one-time admin fee of $10 for 10 Zoom sessions, then $50 onwards per in-person or Zoom session.
Pricing: $10 for 10 zoom sessions, $50 per session afterwards
Location: Holland Village
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Shan You: A social service agency that provides professional counselling and mindfulness-based services to the community, regardless of ethnic background and religion. Their rate for individual counselling is $80 for a 50-60 minutes session and $100 for a 65-75 minutes Couple/ Family counselling session.
Pricing: $80 for individual, $100 for couple/ family
Location: Kallang/ Boon Keng
Counselling Services (used by our team members):
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Mind What Matters: Located at Devonshire and Phoenix Park, MwM guides people with Anxiety Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder (Depression), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Addictive Disorders, and more with their team of psychologists and counsellors. Rates start at $200/ 50 minutes for a counsellor and $220 for a clinical psychologist.
- Redwood Psychology: Located at North Bridge Road, Redwood Psychology is committed to journeying through life's challenges with our clients, through the process of resilience-building, within a supportive therapeutic relationship. Rates are $220/ hour for a clinical psychologist.
Useful Hotlines:
- National Care Hotline: 1-800-202-6868
- Samaritans of Singapore (24-hour Hotline): 1-800-221-4444 or 1-767
- Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH): 1-800-283-7019
- Institute of Mental Health (IMH, 24-hours): 6389-2222
- Tinkle Friend (for primary school-aged children): 1-800-274-4788
Other Resources:
- Money Smart’s comprehensive article on Counselling in Singapore
- Calm Collective Asia: An organisation with the mission to destigmatize mental health chatter in Asia
Just remember, you are on a journey that is no one’s but your own, and we hope this article encourages you to reach out for help if need be - to get over that first hurdle. Huge love to our team members for sharing their journeys and resources while writing this article, we end off with few other much-loved quotes of ours:
“A flower cannot blossom without both rain and sun. It rises from the bottom and so do we.” - Hannah Blum
“Don’t let the tall weeds cast a shadow on the beautiful flowers in your garden.” - Steve Maraboli
Charlotte Puxley Flowers on Mental Health
Join our mental health conversation on TikTok or Instagram by sharing “one thing you’re grateful for today” using the hashtag #sliceofflowerpower and tag us @charlottepuxleyflowers, we can’t wait to see what you share with us!
@charlottepuxleyflowers Always a delightful moment watching people enjoy our little #sliceofflowerpower 💐 #tiktoksg #fyp #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing ♬ original sound - EX7STENCE™
@charlottepuxleyflowers Asked these beautiful strangers to share one thing they are grateful for today 🌞 Join us by using this hashtag #sliceofflowerpower now 💚 #tiktoksg #fyp #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing ♬ Beautiful Stranger - laufey
All our love,
Charlotte