Raffles Education Corporation marks World Mental Health Day


Raffles Education Corporation (REC) is fully cognizant of the fact that not many people are aware of the mental health care and status in Singapore. By combining forces with Silver Ribbon (Singapore) to mark World Mental Health Day, it hopes to de-stigmatise people associated with mental health problems and encourage people to look at it positively.

Hundreds of guests and students, including our Guest of Honour, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Minister of Parliament, and Silver Ribbon (Singapore) volunteers witnessed this event through a series of activities and workshops at our campus on October 6.

Dr Chelvi receiving Guest-of-honour, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi seated for opening speech

On behalf of REC, Professor Tony Dickson opened the World Mental Health Day with his speech, elaborating on Raffles School of Psychology, Raffles Design Institute and Hartford Institute’s involvement in this worthy cause.

Raffles School of Psychology organized the Art & Play Therapy workshops to demonstrate the dynamic relationships between children and the therapists. Such introductory sessions provide the public an insight on how children express their inner thoughts and feelings through art and play.

A psychological assessment clinic manned by voluntary psychologists and counselors roped in by Raffles School of Psychology gave participants a quick guide on their stress levels and mental health.

To create a visual interpretation, Raffles Design Institute (RDI) presented the top 10 entries from the “Stamp Out Stigma” Graphic Art Competition. A total of 24 entries were received from RDI’s Graphic Design students and their works were judged by a panel comprising of:
Ms Ann-Marie, Head of NUS Counselling Centre
Ms Elim Chew, President/Founder, 77th Street
Mr Harris Ng, President of Association for the Open Minds
Mr Kevin Seow, Director, Fyusion Ad Infinitum
Ms Porsche Poh, Executive Director, Silver Ribbon Singapore and
Mr Paulo Moreira e Silva, Visual Communication Programme Director of Raffles Design Institute.

Ms Ann-Marie receiving a token of appreciation from Dr Lim Cheng Hwa,President of Silver Ribbon Singapore	Mr Harris Ng receiving a token of appreciation from Dr Lim Cheng Hwa,President of Silver Ribbon Singapore.
	Mr Paulo Moreira e Silva receiving a token of appreciation from Dr Lim Cheng Hwa, President of Silver Ribbon Singapore.

The 10 finalists and proud winners of the competition received their awards from our Guest of Honour, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi and Dr Lim Cheng Hwa, President of Silver Ribbon Singapore. Our heartiest congratulations to all our winners:
Dewi Siti Mariam (1st prize), Irene (2nd prize), Alvin Kuriawan Soerjono (3rd prize). Finalists - Ng Sze Min, Chrestella Setiyadi, Fendy, Eva Sunarya, Ronald Santosa, Lucky Arianto Hussein Mukti and Willy Kie Putra.

Dewi Siti Mariam receiving (1st prize) award from GoH.	Irene receiving (2nd prize) award from GoH.
Alvin Kuriawan Soerjono receiving (3rd prize) award from GoH.	Ng Sze Min, finalist award winner.
Chrestella Setiyadi, finalist award winner.	Fendy receiving, finalist award winner.
Eva Sunarya, finalist award winner.	Ronald Santosa, finalist award winner.
Lucky Arianto, finalist award winner.	Willy Kie Putra, finalist award winner.
	Mr Abdullah Tamugi receiving a token of appreciation from Professor Tony Dickson, President, Raffles Education Corp.

From Graphics Design to Fashion Design. Mr Tsai Ming Hung, Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) Fashion Design was fascinated by human relationships and how two individuals complement one another created a collection called “Duality”. His collection will be showcased at the Gallery (99 Beach Road) or catch the collection at the Singapore Fashion Week 2007.

Not restricting to static displays, Ms Jann Chong, another RDI’s Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Multimedia Design graduate, explores a true story of a complicated web of family relationships through her award winning short film, ”Strings”. It focuses our attention to the delicate intricacies of human interactions and the film is currently screened at the Gallery of the campus too.

	Mr Tsai Ming Hung's collection work display in Raffles Education Campus Gallery.
Jann Chong's winning film poster, work display in Raffles Education Campus Gallery.

Two other RDI’s Interactive Media Designers, Mr Jim Khor and Mr Benjamin Low, lent their support for this worthwhile event through their works “Depression” and “Glimpse” respectively to de-stigmatise mental heath. “Depresssion” encapsulates the current hot topic of mental health with the types of pressures most of us face these days that could lead to depression or even suicide. “Glimpse” is an interactive artwork that tells a story of a man who realized that there is more to life than ending it. Both works epitomised the mental well-being face by people in this modern society.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi viewed these students’ creations and workshops during his tour of the campus. Well wishes were collected by volunteers from Hartford Institute.

Group picture of Raffles Education staff with Guest-of-Honour, Mr Abdullah Tamugi and Silver Ribbon (Singapore).

Mental illness, as identified by World Health Organisation, is one of the rising health issues in Singapore. The Health Ministry has set aside $88m to boost mental health care and train people to support this area.?At present there is a dearth of skilled personnel like psychologists, counsellors and other allied health workers to help the psychiatrists manage the entire range of mental conditions.

Soon our Raffles School of Psychology students would make a major contribution towards promoting good mental health here and abroad upon their graduation. To find out more about our psychology programmes, please click here.