6/2/2023 0 Comments Kwur mixlrThe British were comparatively benevolent colonial masters. This institution honours Sir Stamford Raffles’ role as founder of both the nation and the school, perhaps rightly so. As we celebrate our school and nation’s heritage and achievements, it is perhaps worth re-examining the significance behind the name of our own institution. In May, there were calls to remove Australian tennis great Margaret Court’s name from the Margaret Court Arena after she expressed homophobic views. In February, Yale’s Calhoun College was renamed in view of Calhoun’s history as a white supremacist and slave-owner. Naming a public institution after someone singles them out as the best of us, as epitomes of our values and aspirations. What’s in a name? For many, it is respect. At the end of the day, it is up to us to create a more supportive environment for others, and this writer looks forward to a day when we are able to do so.īy Lynn Hong (18A13A) and Yeo Kee Hwan (18S03Q) ![]() However, while it is extremely heartening that such a platform exists and more events like this should be organised, awareness campaigns can only do so much. It was heartwarming to see other students take a greater role in raising awareness about a topic dear to their hearts. ![]() It was also an opportunity for others to reflect: Are we doing enough to create a culture of acceptance? Are we being dismissive about the prevalence of mental illness, and in doing so, stifling the voices of those who want to talk about it? In a society where mental illnesses are seen by many as a “taboo” topic, such opportunities are particularly important. On the whole, MHAW was a very timely reminder of the importance of taking care of one’s mental well-being. In Project Stick-ma, students wrote post-its with words of encouragement, pasting them on a board to form a heart. Booths, set up near the canteen, displayed infographics about mental health and mental illness – while some focused on information about specific mental illnesses, others were more general, discussing different ways for us to destress amidst our hectic schedules. In fact, PHP’s theme could also be seen as reflective of its desire to build a greater sense of awareness of how we can be more accepting of ourselves, whether through more consciously taking care of our mental health or seeking help through appropriate channels when needed.Ī key focus of MHAW this year was how we can manage of our own mental health. We want to build a student-driven community that stands together to help one another.” As Ms Woo Mei Hui, PHP teacher-in-charge and counsellor at the Raffles Guidance Centre, put it, “It’s about building a culture of acceptance in RI through raising awareness about mental illness. This year’s MHAW was themed “Embrace ”, encapsulating PHP’s aspiration: to be inclusive of those around us who suffer from mental illnesses. To that end, the Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP) recently organised the Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW). Of similar importance is that we know how to support others. ![]() In such an environment, it is imperative that we are aware of the importance of taking care of our mental health, as well as knowing about the methods we can do so. The number of stressed-out people is on the rise, and it has been estimated that one in six Singaporeans suffer from some form of mental illness. Singapore is a society characterised by a fast pace of life long hours at work and school have become a norm, creating an environment that has regularly been described as a “pressure cooker”. Photos courtesy of Raffles Photographic Society
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