It’s bittersweet to see more and more mainstream news outlets cover mental health issues (a step in the right direction) but while using language that perpetuates stereotypes and stigma. A recent NST headlines screamed : “[Exclusive] Overworked souls risk going mental and dying early”. The Oxford Dictionary defines “Going mental” as informal phrase that means […]
stigma
Meet Me Halfway, Mum.
Not to stereotype but Asian parents aren’t the best role models when it comes to awareness about mental illness. Asian cultures aren’t the most exemplary when it comes to being vocal about how you feel. It’s almost taboo to do so. Dinner time conversations never start with a “so, how was your day?” instead its […]
ED-ing my nightmare with food (Part 2)
Today I am 23 now. I left the town I grew up in almost three years ago – pretty impulsively to be honest, haha. I decided I would finally move away and was gone not even 2 weeks after. It was scary at first, very scary but definitely worth it. To this day I don’t […]
My nightmare with food (Part 1)
5 years ago… I turned 18 a few weeks ago. 18 years old, finally a legal adult, life should start right now, I should be happy, I should have a great group of friends, a supporting family and a bright future ahead of me. So, what the hell went wrong along the way? Instead, I […]
From me to you: Please be kind and considerate
I’ve been suffering from depression for quite sometime. I’m diagnosed with mixed anxiety-major depressive disorder. I attempted suicide countless times to the point that I was actually rushed to the ER. I overdosed three times on my antidepressants, drank chemical and I’ve been cutting myself. It’s a long story as to why i got depressed. […]
The reasonable response to mental illness and violent crimes
By Dr. Chua Sook Ning Mental illness is often brought up as a possible cause when an incomprehensible violent crime is committed. The authorities usually just say “mental illness” without further explanation or specification. Here are just some recent cases in Malaysia where the authorities have implicated mental illness: Assault and arson (http://malaysiandigest.com/news/654630-man-suspected-of-running-amok-killing-three-and-burning-down-home-remanded.html) Gun violence […]
