BETTER UNDERSTANDING FOR

BETTER WELLNESSLet’s Reduce Stigma in NUS!

Why?

Barriers to Help-Seeking

◦ Peer stigma ◦ Lack of information ◦ Lack of time

Tay, A. K. P. (2014) Study on Mental Health Stigma of Singapore Youths Aged 17 - 25

THE 1ST BUBW CAMPAIGN

Vision◦Mental wellness for all (students) in NUS

Mission

◦Promote acceptance and respect

◦Confront stigma

◦Improve mental resilience of the NUS community

Framework: TLC ECE

Targeted Local Continuous

ContactEducation Education

What we did:Dialogue 1 Dialogue 2 HPB Training IMH Training Dialogue 3 Dialogue 4

22 Jan 3 Feb 20 Feb 22 Feb 18 Mar 13 AprHope: Going

Beyond IllnessHelp: Support is

All AroundYouth Health Ambassador

Training

Volunteer Training &

Contact with patients

Heroes: Recognising

Efforts, Inspiring Action

Handle with Care: Strength

in adversity

Peers in Recovery

Mental Health Professionals

Skills-basedtraining for

spotting andsupporting

peers

Understandinstitutional

care andinteract with

patients

Volunteers Caregivers

Education Contact Education

“Recovery is 100% possible and can be life-changing”

“Mental illness can be a positive thing that

givescourage. Support is the key to progressing in the

journey.”

“Hope: Going Beyond Illness”

59%30%

11%

People with mental illnesses are crazyStrongly DISAGREE Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

52%

22%

22%

4%

People with mental illnesses are not like us, normal people

Strongly DISAGREE Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

“There are SO many avenues for help

available. I can better refer friends to

professional help services should they need it”

“Help: Support is All Around”◦94% believe they can better empathise with those in need

◦82% believe they can better understand how to reach out to people in need

“Challenging the mental health stigma starts with each of

us”

“Doing good to others can benefit

myself and others”

“Handle With Care: Strength In Adversity”

Help Cope

Resources

Youth Health Ambassador Training

I learnt…“the importance of listening”“conversational skills to better communicate better with those who are in need”“basic knowledge about the various mental illness”“how to approach people with mental illness”“how to listen, connect, don't give advice that is not asked for”

Volunteers’ Training & Engagement Session by IMH

Overall Success

Reached 200 studentsPartnered 20

individuals from 14 organisations

Decrease in stigma towards mental

illnesses

Increase willingness to contribute to the

sector

Recruited 12 facilitators and 6 new committee members

THE 2ND BUBW CAMPAIGN

“Conversations In The Dark”Blindfolded Networking

“Conversations In The Dark”Social Distance Walk

LESSONS LEARNT

Effectiveness of Approach

Applying evidence- based paradigms to de-stigma

Using intimate conversations to raise

awareness

Bringing students in contact with persons with

mental health issues

Areas for Improvement

Education -> Empowerment

Having a consistent audience

Continuity

Thank you