Bringing Light into the Dark Places

Introduction 

In a world where we often assume safety and stability, events can unfold that shake these assumptions to the core. Last week, a tragic incident involving two students from a well-known secondary school shocked Singapore, challenging perceptions of school as a safe haven. 

It’s easy to think of institutions like schools as places where young people can find refuge and guidance, yet this tragedy highlights that even in these seemingly secure environments, the silent battles of mental health can often go unnoticed.

This post delves into the urgent need for understanding, compassion and active support for mental health. By bringing light into the dark places where mental illness dwells, we can foster a culture where everyone feels seen, heard and supported. 

School - A Safe Haven?

Last week, a 16-year-old boy from a very good secondary school killed a fellow student. And when that made the news, it apparently sent shock waves across the whole of Singapore. 

While I've always viewed school as a safe haven, a place where students could thrive and find support, this murder made me wonder if school safety has been taken for granted by the populace?

Suicide Attempts -  A Cry for Help

It was later revealed that the 16-year-old boy had tried to kill himself two years ago and had sought psychiatric help. Suicide attempts are a cry for help. Don't be too busy to care. 

To think that the school actually teaches its students about mental health issues and had even won an award last year for actively promoting mental health, it came as a surprise to me that the school staff and students apparently didn't even sense something amiss long before the tragedy took place. Otherwise, it could have been prevented. 

I'm not trying to say that the school staff and students are directly or indirectly responsible for this tragedy. None of them should be made to feel guilty. But I think it has highlighted the importance of suicide prevention.

Schools can foster a culture of compassionate care, so that every student feels seen, heard and supported, and ultimately creating a safer environment for all.

The First Step Towards Healing

The journey towards healing and wellness begins with acknowledging our struggles and seeking the support we need to overcome them. You might want to watch this video of a courageous young girl who's apparently been dealing with mental health issues. Give her some encouragement if you could.

If the young youtuber could be so courageously facing her demons so to speak, you could too.  Face it  and then  work on  your  own wellness,  even if  it means you've to seek long-term psychiatric help.

Seek Help

Mental illness can feel like being trapped in a maze of darkness where escape seems impossible. But that's just an illusion because you can get yourself out of this maze by seeking help.

You could, for example, find people that you could trust and let them know that you're struggling with mental health issues. This could be a catalyst for healing. Or you could call crisis intervention hotlines to get help.

You could also seek help from music, which can be a form of therapy. According to a neurologist, Oliver Sacks, music could lift us out of depression when nothing else could. His work reveals that we could benefit immensely from music's extraordinary healing power.

Bring Light into the Dark Places

You could bring light into the dark places where mental illness dwells by being the light. You could be the light that brightens up the dark places.

Give people hope. Give them encouragement. You can make a difference to someone's life by being the bridge to their total wellness.

Cheers,

Annie Chan

(P/s: My next blog post will be published on 27 Aug 2021. Incidentally, my latest music video titled "Bringing Light to the Dark Places" will be out on my YouTube channel on 4 Aug 2021. Check it out then! Please subscribe to my YouTube channel here: Annie's Music Everywhere. Thanks!:)

(https://linktree.com/anniechan123)



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