HEAL 36

COMPASSION

CLUB HEAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
APRIL - JUNE 2022

APR - JUN 2022

COMPASSION

President's Message 02

What Compassion Truly 04
Means to Me
Interview with Madrasah
Counsellor, Noraliza Abdul
Rahim
By Sumaiyah Mohamed

Self-compassion is the 08
Key to Self-healing

Interview with Rehab Volunteer,

Shari AlMashoor Abdul Rahim

By Yohanna Abdullah

Compassion in Recovery 10
and Service
Interview with Volunteer,

Sameni Berchoe

By Mardiana Othman

Creative Corner: 13
By Mardiana Othman

APR - JUN 2022

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” – Plato

Compassion abounds at Club HEAL.

I still remember the words of Daryl Tan, one of our peer support specialists, when asked why he
joined Club HEAL: “Everyone is so kind!”.

Indeed, Club HEAL was founded by a group of like-minded individuals guided by their collective
compassion to serve those with mental health challenges and their caregivers.

Those who volunteer for Club HEAL – be they members of our management committee; or
regulars at our rehab programme, such as Shari AlMashoor, Sameni Berchoe and Ustazah Laila; or
our kind patrons and advisors – all are guided by the quality of compassion and clear
understanding of the need to be here.

The spirit of compassion is a very important prerequisite that helps in the healing and recovery of
our service users. The staff of Club HEAL – both direct service providers, such as our counsellors,
social workers and programme executives at rehab, and members of our corporate services –
display this spirit time and again. It not only affects our clients, but also serves as the glue that
binds us together as members of the Club HEAL family.

In this issue of HEAL, we feature stories of compassionate individuals at Club HEAL: our madrasah
counsellor, Noraliza Abdul Rahim; and our regular volunteers, Shari AlMashoor and Sameni
Berchoe.

Be inspired!

“Every breath is a step to the afterlife, so have compassion for one another. This is a journey,
and the kindness you show to fellow travellers engenders love. Remember, we are all on this
journey together.” – Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

Dr Radiah Salim Page 02

Club HEAL Newsletter

About APR - JUN 2022

Club Club HEAL was formed in 2012 by a group of
HEAL like-minded individuals who have a strong
passion in helping people with mental illness
and their family members lead a fulfilling
and stigma-free life.

A charity that promotes the healing and
recovery of people with mental health
challenges by inspiring Hope, Empowering
lives, fostering Acceptance and spreading
Love, services provided by Club HEAL include
day rehabilitative services, counselling,
home visits, public education, support
groups and volunteer training.

Club HEAL is a registered Charitable
Organisation with an approved Institution of
Public Character (IPC) status. Club HEAL is a
member of the National Council of Social
Service (NCSS) and a part of the Community
Mental Health Intervention Teams (COMIT)
and Community Resource Engagement and
Support Team (CREST) programmes under
the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Be a HEALing Friend.

Join us as Volunteers

“Volunteers are love in motion!” – Author Unknown

As a member or a volunteer, you can contribute in a
variety of ways, from assisting in Club HEAL events to
conducting rehabilitative activities!

We need people from all walks of life who can
contribute their time and skills to fulfill our cause.

To become a member, please fill-up the membership
form available at our website (under Resources
section) and email it to us at [email protected] or
mail it to: Club HEAL, Blk 254, Bukit Batok East Ave 4,
#01-229, Singapore 650254.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Club HEAL Newsletter Page 03

APR - JUN 2022

Interview with Noraliza Abdul Rahim, Madrasah Counsellor



What Compassion Truly Means to Me

By Sumaiyah Mohamed

With her beloved princesses and husband, Noraliza builds her home on the foundation of compassion.

1. Can you share your past background, work experience and interest in mental
health and related areas?

I was an educator for the past 20 years – from kindergarten to secondary school –
before switching to the mental health profession in 2018. I have also been a
freelance pre-marriage course trainer at APKIM Resources since 2012.

My interest in mental health was triggered soon after my beloved mother passed
away in 1982. I had witnessed how my late father, as a single father and sole
breadwinner, struggled with his emotions and daily routine while looking after and
comforting his ten children.

Although he struggled a lot, he was very compassionate towards us. I never once
heard him complain about his struggles. I admired his patience, perseverance, and
compassion. He is my role model in being compassionate to myself and others.

Club HEAL Newsletter Page 04

APR - JUN 2022

Based on my professional observations, yes, stigma still exists,
but it is less nowadays. Yes, stigma has slowly turned into compassion.

2. What does compassion in mental 4. Cultivating self-compassion seems
health recovery mean to you as a to be an important concept in
professional serving many people in mindfulness and mental wellness.
recovery? What is self-compassion? What have
For me, compassion means to you observed that has worked for
empathise with others’ sufferings and people in boosting self-compassion?
struggles, and to have the passion to Self-compassion means being kind
help relieve such suffering, for and understanding towards ourselves
example, by attending or listening to when confronted with our own pain
them. and suffering.
It means that we act the same way
3. You have been providing mental towards ourselves when we are going
health services for some time. Do you through a tough time as how we
think stigma still exists today? Or is would act towards a dear friend -
the public stigma turning into noticing our suffering, then
compassion towards people in empathising and offering kindness
recovery from mental illness now? If and understanding to ourselves.
yes, what played important roles in
this shift to compassion? Her dad, her hero, her role model who
Based on my professional exemplifies compassion.
observations, yes, stigma still exists,
but it is less nowadays. Yes, stigma
has slowly turned into compassion.

Psychoeducation, awareness

campaigns and talks provided to the

society have played important roles in

this shift.

An example of less stigma – in schools
nowadays, I receive more self-
referred clients compared to when I
just started working in mental health
profession few years ago. Now,
students are more open and do not
feel embarrassed about seeing a
counsellor to discuss their struggles.
Teachers and peers also play an
important part in encouraging clients
to seek professional help.

Club HEAL Newsletter Page 05

APR - JUN 2022

When we recognise that we are not alone in our suffering, imperfections,
or failures, and that everyone in the world shares these experiences, we

become more empathic and feel less isolated and alone.

Based on my professional 3. Mindfulness
observations, individuals who are
more self-compassionate tend to be Mindfulness involves recognising
calmer, more self-motivated and
more confident. They also enjoy when we/others are stressed or
better relationships and physical
health, and suffer less anxiety and having a difficult time and becoming
depression. On the whole, they are,
generally, happier and more satisfied aware of this without judgment or
with life.
avoidance. Being mindful allows us to
5. Have you observed that
compassion (to others and self) is appreciate a broader view of life and
more important now, in pandemic
times, when there is the spread of reflect on the present moment with
illness, and more people are facing
unemployment, financial challenges perspective, rather than spending
and mental health challenges, etc.?
Compassion to self and others is time and energy worrying about past
certainly more important during this
pandemic. It includes three or future concerns. In order to
components, and all are very
important in supporting each other. cultivate compassion (towards

1. Kindness self/others), it is necessary to be
Kindness means that we are
supportive and understanding of mindful of our stress and struggles
ourselves and others during difficult
times, rather than being harshly and recognise the need to comfort
critical.
ourselves (Germer & Neff, 2011). This
2. Common humanity
Common humanity involves seeing means acknowledging our
our/others’ imperfections and
struggles as part of the human shortcomings rather than
condition rather than as isolated
experiences. When we recognise that suppressing, obsessing, exaggerating,
we are not alone in our suffering,
imperfections, or failures, and that or ruminating, or over-identifying with
everyone in the world shares these
experiences, we become more one’s situation (Neff, 2011).
empathic and feel less isolated and
alone. 6. What advice would you give to
newer Club HEAL staff to help them
Club HEAL Newsletter develop compassion for themselves
as healthcare workers and for the
peers/caregivers they serve, as well
as for the service users who are on
the journey of recovery?
We are all struggling with the
dilemma of taking care of others
when we need to take care of
ourselves. Just as on an airplane,
where parents are urged in case of an
emergency to put on their own
oxygen masks before their child’s, we
also face the challenge of prioritising
compassion for ourselves and
ourselves and kindness to others.

My advice is that we should always
understand and support each other
by practicing the following:

Page 06

1. Be good APR - JUN 2022
2. Help others to be good
3. Create a good environment was the end of the world and could
not see any meaningful future for
As the Prophet (saw) has said: myself. I could not accept it, and was
“The most beloved people to Allah are in denial and depressed. I hid myself
those who are most beneficial to at home for almost six months. I
people. The most beloved deed to avoided meeting other people and
Allah is to make a Muslim happy, or to refused to receive visitors, especially
remove one of his troubles, or to my school friends. I was ashamed of
forgive his debt, or to feed his hunger. my face’s condition.
That I walk with a brother regarding a
need is more beloved to me than that I blamed myself for not taking good
I seclude myself in this mosque in care of my health during my
Medina for a month. Whoever examinations. I had neglected self-
swallows his anger, then Allah will care, especially my sleep and diet. The
conceal his faults. Whoever only thing I had focused on was my
suppresses his rage, even though he studies.
could fulfil his anger if he wished, then
Allah will secure his heart on the Day During that period, my father looked
of Resurrection. Whoever walks with after me very well. He provided me
his brother regarding a need until he with emotional, psychological and
secures it for him, then Allah Almighty moral support. He taught me the real
will make his footing firm across the meaning of compassion (towards self
bridge on the day when the footings and others), hope and acceptance.
are shaken.” (Sahih Albani) The most important and unforgettable
advice from him during that time was
7. What/Who is your inspiration to “Nothing is permanent. This is not the
continue to be compassionate end of the world. There is still HOPE for
towards people in recovery from you.” He attended to me tenderly, with
mental health challenges? love and care, until I fully recovered.
My beloved late father. His aspiration,
patience, and compassion motivate After I recovered from the face stroke
me to serve others in need. He always in 1992, I furthered my studies and
reminded me, “Be beneficial to others. majored in Psychology for my
If we help others, Allah will help us.” bachelor’s degree to satisfy my
curiosity about how the brain worked
My mother passed away when I was 8 and the science behind human
years old. From then on, my father emotions. Now, after three decades, I
was my only caregiver am pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma
in Counselling, with the hope that it
In 1991, when I was only 16 years old, I will enable me to serve the community
suffered from facial paralysis for even better.
almost a year. The day after I had
completed my ‘O’ level examination, I My experience, and the advice given
woke up in the morning and saw my by my beloved late father, taught me
face muscles were drooping and had to be more empathetic and
become very weak. I could not even compassionate towards self and
blink my eyes! I panicked, felt others. Since then, I have strived to
confused and was very sad. I felt it help others in need throughout their
recovery journeys.
Club HEAL Newsletter
Page 07

APR - JUN 2022
SELF-COMPASSION IS THE

KEY TO SELF-HEALING

Shari AlMashoor, 63, a dedicated Club HEAL volunteer, conducts vibrant

motivational sessions weekly, teaching our peers to love themselves and break
free from the prisons of their minds with lots of love and laughter.



By Yohanna Abdullah
“Self-compa
ssion is possibly the best drug to

keep us happy and healthy and it is free. When
you accept the kindness inside you, you don’t
have to be hard on yourself. You let go of
anger, hurt and irritability. Being kind is
soothing and it will stimulate chemicals in your
body that activate self-healing,” said Shari.

Different treatments to creating awareness
Shari is a big believer in self-healing through
the many techniques she has learnt in the past
12 years, including hypnotherapy. She
incorporates these ways into a simple session
called Awareness, which she had developed
along her ten years of volunteering at Club
HEAL.

“I ventured into treatments or advice or
techniques that do not require medication.
Medication is important in times of severe
need. It is fantastic. But self-healing is the most
powerful tool designed by the Almighty.”

AFAL

She calls her sessions at Club HEAL, Awareness, which is made up of four components,
AFAL – Awareness, Forgiveness, Acceptance and Letting Go with Love. Only with awareness
can you start to make a change and not keep on hurting yourself and treat yourself with
love.

“The biggest challenge is forgiveness. Some people do not forgive until their death beds.
Forgiveness will melt away the prison of your mind and allow for acceptance. With
acceptance, you will embrace a totally different view of your situation and then you can let
go with love.”

Club HEAL Newsletter Page 08

APR - JUN 2022

Repeat religiously
These components are emphasised at her sessions because repetition is the key to
programming the brain to the right way, which is what religions strive to do as well.
“We have to repeat the good daily. That’s why we have religions – we need reminders,
repetitions of good things.” One of the techniques she repeats every week is breathing.
And her peers will remember certainly the positive affirmation that she shares: “Today is
the day of my amazing good fortune.” This declaration makes one grateful for all the
goodness that come our way. Says Shari, “We raise our energy and feel the good fortune
which comes in all shapes and sizes. Good fortune may be in receiving a smile or a phone
call.”

Shari dishes out plenty of smiles and jokes during her sessions, which have been on Zoom
since Covid-19 struck. When the peers following these sessions move on to carry through
with their education, careers, and families, this compassionate volunteer feels rewarded.

A beautiful guide
“I am very passionate about what I do. When participants come back to help others,
becoming programme executives or helping others manage their issues, my aim is
fulfilled, i.e., to empower them to give back and be on the healing process. It is they who
make the changes. I am just a guide.”

Being one of the longest-serving volunteers at Club HEAL clearly means she has lots of
compassion. Where did she get all that loving empathy to reach out and give?

“I grew up in a large family. As the ninth child, I was raised by my aunt who was just like a
second mum to me. All her focus was on me; she took good care of me and gave me
unconditional love. That is where my compassion comes from.”

Shari has a few messages
to share with Club
HEALers. “Always

remember to nurture
kindness daily in your
heart when you wake up,
so it is easy to forgive
ourselves. Also, keep on
smiling and don’t take life
too seriously. It is a short
journey, make it fun!”

Club HEAL Newsletter Page 09

Life coach and author Iyanla Vanzant once APR - JUN 2022
said, “Compassion is about seeing the position
or suffering of another and taking action to Compassion
alleviate the suffering.” She had added, in Recovery
“without sacrificing yourself.” and Service

Compassion is a gift for us to learn and Interview with Sameni Berchoe, Volunteer
practise kindness and generosity. Ultimately, By Mardiana Othman
it is an opportunity for us to discover our own

capacity to help others.

Mdm Sameni Berchoe, one of Club HEAL’s
dedicated volunteers, devotes time about
thrice a week to be part of our peers'
rehabilitation at the Marsiling centre despite
having to manage her own physical and
mental conditions.

Be it while cooking or sitting down to have a
chat, Mdm Sameni makes sure her time at the
centre is well-spent with the peers. Recently, I
had the pleasure of sitting down and
reflecting with Mdm Sameni on the topic of
compassion.

Poems by Sameni Berchoe



Cooking is our passion
It's a therapy for our condition

It's our way of contribution
We call ourselves Limited Edition.



~
Life is not a bed of roses
We go through many surprises
Willing hearts can overcome any
challenges
With courage when the need arises.


~
We all face many temptations
At times we need suggestions
Be wise when making decisions
With will power and sheer
determination.



Club HEAL Newsletter Page 10

APR - JUN 2022

1. First of all, share with the readers what you do at Club HEAL.
I’m a volunteer at Club Heal Marsiling. The first thing I do when I step into the centre is
prepare the morning tea break, followed by lunch. I make use of the time during our breaks
to talk to the participants. We talk about anything under the sun. For some participants who
are not really sure about their rehab, I would encourage them to participate in the activities.

Since my recovery, I feel that it’s my responsibility to give back. I feel good about doing this.
It’s important to me that I make a difference in the lives of others.

2. What does Compassion mean to you?
Compassion has a very deep meaning. I think it is a sense of sympathy and a combination of
kindness and caring for people. What also comes to mind is acceptance, gratitude and
patience. It’s all in a package. If you already have it in you, good. And if you don’t, you can
intentionally develop it.

3. In your recovery and in your service as a volunteer, have you experienced people being
compassionate to you?
Yes, of course. My fellow peers, they are caring and compassionate people. They are genuine
and I can see their sincerity. I feel very touched and I have a lot of gratitude for the attention
they give me – it’s beyond words. It lifts me up! I know my peers care a lot about me. This is
my second home. That’s the reason why I keep coming back to Marsiling.

4. Do you think having compassion is an essential part of recovery?
Yes. When you receive compassion, you give it back to others. It’s a two-way traffic. It helps
in my recovery journey too.

5. Share some words of wisdom for someone in recovery who wants to practice
compassion.
Be forgiving. By doing that, you can recover in a shorter time.

Embrace acceptance and gratitude if you want to recover. I remember attending Senior
Case Worker Mr Zainal Lee’s motivational talks and he emphasised on these two. I take it
along with me wherever I go. I would also tell that someone to take one day at a time
because recovery doesn’t happen immediately. Finally, just be yourself!

6. Who is your favourite public figure that displays this trait? Why do you think he/she is a
good example?
Our President, Madam Halimah Yacob, is a good example for me. She is honest, very down to
earth, humble and caring. I also admire her approach in life.

7. Finally, some closing words from you …
There is always a higher mountain. If you think you’re good, there is always somebody better
than you. You don’t have to be the best, just do your best!

Club HEAL Newsletter Page 11

APR - JUN 2022

1. Mental health and well-being talk by Executive Director Yang Chek Salikin and Counsellor

Nur Hafizah Zulkeplee– Islamic Learning Hub and Management Office (ILHAM), 28 Nov.

2. Mental health blended workshop for Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) by Yang Chek –

Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), 1 Dec, 9 Dec & 15 Dec. by Yan5g Chek and COMIT Manager
3. Dementia awareness blended workshop for CERTIS

Fazeeda Mohamed – AIC, 2 Dec & 18 Jan.

4. Community Outreach Programme for the Elderly (COPE) by CREST Geylang Serai Team –

South East CDC, 3 Dec.

5. Healing Friends Training by Club HEAL via Zoom, 4 Dec (39th Run) & 5 Feb (40th Run).

6. ‘What You Need to Know About Mental Health’. Talk by Senior Case Worker Zainal Abidin

Ibrahim Lee – Punggol West MAEC, 5 Dec.

7. ‘Anxiety, Stress and Self Harm Prevention and Caregiving’. Talk by Zainal – PA MESRA, 8

Dec.

8. Mental health awareness and dementia training workshops for Bishan NPC (Tanglin

Division) by Yang Chek – AIC, 10 Dec.

9. Silver Volunteers Training by Club HEAL via Zoom, 11 Dec.

10. Basic Counselling Skills. Talk by Counsellors Abdul Hakim Bin Adzhari and Wannadwah

Ja’afar – ILHAM, 12 Dec

11. Mental health blended workshop for National Heritage Board (NHB) by Yang Chek – AIC, 14

Dec.

12. ‘Self-Image and Social Media’. Talk by Zainal – PA MESRA, 22 Dec.

13. ‘Stress Management’. Instagram live interview with Counsellor Muhammad Fauzy Ramli –

Darul Makmur Mosque, 24 Dec.

14. ‘Gemilang’ Concert. Invitation for Club HEAL peers – Esplanade, 1 Jan.

15. ‘eMpower 2022: Managing Anxieties in Navigating Adulthood’. Talk by Dr Radiah Salim –

NUS PBMUKS, 4 Jan.

16. ‘Mental well-being and wellness for first time parents’. Talk by Yang Chek & CREST North

Team – Woodgrove CC, 15 Jan.

17. Dementia awareness talk for Malay community at Toa Payoh by CREST Geylang Serai

Team – AIC, 22 Jan.

18. Mental health awareness blended workshop for National Environment Agency (NEA) by

Yang Chek – AIC, 26 Jan.

19. Mental health awareness blended workshop for MSF-FSC by Yang Chek – AIC, 27 Jan, 3

Feb, 8 Feb & 10 Feb.

20. Club HEAL’s Our Healing Voice Graduation event for 2021 Cohort of Learners via Zoom],

29 Jan.

21. Mental health sharing by Yang Chek with Health Promotion Board (HPB) and Warna 94.2, –

MediaCorp, 8 Feb 2022.

22. Dementia awareness blended workshop for Ar-Raudhah Mosque and Hussain Sulaiman

Mosque by Yang Chek – AIC, 9 Feb.

23. Dementia awareness blended workshop for Tower Transit by Fazeeda – AIC, 11 Feb.

Club HEAL Newsletter Page 12

Creative Corner APR - JUN 2022

GOD KNOWS
By Mardiana Othman

Club HCCllEuuAbbLHHNEEAAewLL NNsleeewwttsselleertttteerr PagePa0gP2ea1g0e 13

Club HEAL Newsletter APR - JUN 2022

Pledge Your Support

Help people with mental health
challenges receive the support they need.

HOW TO SUPPORT? For Bank Transfer & PayNow

Online at www.giving.sg/club-heal To request for tax deduction , please

Cheque (crossed & made payable to 'Club indicate your full name (as per your
HEAL'). Please indicate your NRIC at the
back of cheque for tax deduction. identification card) under “Bill Reference”.

Via Bank Transfer

OCBC Current Account: 641-372131-001
Thereafter email your full name, NRIC, FIN
Via PayNow
UEN no: T12SS0028K or or Passport No, contact number, transaction
scan QR Code using bank app
ref No., gift amount and date of donation to

[email protected]




For Cheque & GIRO

Please mail cheque or completed form to
254 Bukit Batok East Ave 4 #01-299
singapore 650254.



Please note that all donations made to Club

HEAL which is an IPC Status Charitable

Organisation are eligible to get 250% (2.5

times) Tax Deduction of the donation

amount made.

Patron in Chief: MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Madam Halimah Yacob
President: Members: Editorial Team
Patrons: Dr Radiah Salim
Mr Zaqy Mohamad Vice-President: Dr Bibi Jan Ayyub
Madam Rahayu Mahzam Ms Siti Hawa Sulaiman Ms Noorunnisa d/o Ibrahim Chief Editor
Hon Treasurer: Noorunnisa d/o Ibrahim Kutty
Hon Advisors: Mr Muhammad Fithri Daud Kutty
Dr Joseph Leong Jern-Yi Hon Asst Treasurer:
Dr Habeebul Rahman Ms Siti Aishah Jaafar Ms Deena Bajrai Editorial Team Members
Dr Norhisham Main Hon Secretary:
Dr Sharifah Mariam Aljunied Ms Amarjit Kaur Ms Eunice Olsen Radiah Salim
Mr Ram Dubey Hon Asst Secretary: Mr John Ho
Ms Nur Izzati Zainudin Ms Rohizan Talib Sumaiyah Mohamed
Hon Legal Counsel: Dr Sharifah Munirah Alhamid
Ms Roslina Baba Ms Siti Noor Baizura Yohanna Abdullah
Mardiana Othman

Rahmatullah Designer
Ms Tazrinah Hussein Yohanna Abdullah
Ms Fauziah Mohd Hussein

Contact Club HEAL Office: 6899 3463 (9am - 5pm weekdays) | Mailing Address: Blk 254 Bukit Batok East
Ave 4 #01-229 S(650254) | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.clubheal.org.sg