Five years on, Club HEAL continues to promote awareness of mental health

Celebrating Club HEAL's 5th anniversary.

Voluntary welfare organisation Club HEAL recently celebrated its 5th anniversary with a charity gala dinner attended by nearly 600 guests and supporters.

Dr Radiah Salim, founder and President, Club HEAL, said, "Club HEAL aims to fill as many gaps in services as we possibly can."

Some 2,000 clients have benefitted from Club HEAL's support, and she hoped that there will be more Club HEAL outlets while expanding outreach to those with addiction issues, she said.

Zaqy Mohamad, Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC and a Club HEAL patron, said the work done by Club HEAL is more significant than many realise. "Mental health issues are sometimes hard to see," he said.

"Anyone can be afflicted by this illness which is no different from any other physical illness," said Singapore President Mdm Halimah Yacob, who has been Chief Patron of Club HEAL from its inception. "With the right kind of support and encouragement people with mental health issues can lead fulfilling lives. Medical treatment and medication are not enough. They need to be supported by other services."

Mdm President Halimah Yacob addresses the audience during Club HEAL's 5th anniversary gala dinner.

Mdm Halimah also called for everyone to make an effort to learn more about mental illness and noted that people who understand the concept of mental health are more likely to fund mental health programmes. "It is if you give of yourself that you truly give," she concluded.

Writer, editor and peer support specialist Yohanna Abdullah launched Club HEAL’s fourth book, A Place in the Sun, and its Malay version Di Bawah Sinaran Mentari. In the foreword to the book Mdm Halimah asked if Singapore society has progressed to being able to accept those with mental illness and made efforts to accommodate them in lives, work, and the community at large. "I believe that we are still very much a work in progress and have a lot more to do," she said.

Yohanna's book, A Place in the Sun, features stories from and about 17 individuals who have dealt with difficulties in their lives. For some of the individuals work stress triggered mental health issues. The chapters are divided into four sections in accordance with the acronym HEAL, or hope, empowerment, acceptance and love.

A second book was launched at the event. Heryani Jamaludin, shared her experiences as a psychiatrist nurse in her inaugural book You Can Do Your Best.

You can be your Best by Heryani Jamaludin (at podium) is another of the books launched at the Club HEAL event. During her launch speech Heryani urged people in difficulty to seek help as soon as possible. "Do not wait, seek treatment," she said.

Stacks of You can be Your Best on sale at the event venue.

Explore:

Club HEAL's new corporate video features sections in accordance with the acronym HEAL, or hope, empowerment, acceptance and love.

View videos from Club HEAL, including the corporate video that was premiered at the event. The new video profiles people whose lives have been touched by Club HEAL and discusses perspectives of mental health.

Hashtag: #clubheal