Health

11/11: Your last chance to build a good habit before the year is up

11/11 has come to stand for a number of things over the years. For some, itā€™s a celebration of singlehood, for others itā€™s an arbitrary date agreed upon to buy stuff. Well, Iā€™d like to propose...

Disabilities

My sisterā€™s life is not a mistake: How Singaporeā€™s first INAD patient bravely fights to live on

Amelia was actually born healthy. She had the ability to babble, to sit up and stand. However, she was not an easy baby to take care of. She would always be crying constantly, and my parents...

Secondary

Drowning in despair during the O-Levels, I heard the audible voice of God

I have always lamented the fact that I didnā€™t win the genetic lottery when it comes to intelligence. As my nameā€™s (Emily) meaning suggests, I am ā€œdiligentā€ and ā€œindustriousā€. But...

Mental Health

Stressed? 5 quick ways to decompress

Most Singaporeans are either stressed at school or stressed at work. We all need time to relax and recalibrate, which is why weā€™ve put together 5 easy, tried-and tested tips to help you...

Mental Health

Learning to love my grandma through her dementia

I remember my paternal grandmother with much fondness. Growing up, Nai Nai doted on us. She would buy us things she knew we would like, especially toys and food. She cooked a sumptuous spread for all...

Mental Health

Things you shouldnā€™t say to someone living with mental illness

In the silence of the empty school toilet, my friendā€™s voice trembled as she shared how violent thoughts seemed to plague her mind involuntarily. It was my first time listening to a friend...

Real Life, Real People

Struggling with body image? It took me years to see the truth

Trigger warning: This article contains mention of self-harm. It was in secondary school when I took notice of the K-pop scene. I enjoyed the music and dance, but more than that, I admired the...

1800-ASK-PASTOR

Am I a weak Christian if I have to get help for my mental health?

It doesnā€™t show that youā€™re weak. Itā€™s just that you need help. After I had my second child, I plunged into postnatal depression. Thankfully, I told myself then: When I need help, I...

Mental Health

My condition does not define me: Living with mental illness and the hope I found

Trigger warning: This article contains mention of suicide. Growing up, I never thought I had a mental health condition.  I just knew I wasnā€™t feeling my bestā€¦ I was always down and having...