HEAL 28

HEAL

APR - JUN 2020 ISSUE 28

President’s Address About Club HEAL

“Eat of the good things which We have provided Club HEAL is a charity that promotes the healing
for you …” - 2:172 and recovery of people with mental health
challenges by inspiring Hope, Empowering lives,
Good nutrition plays a very important role in fostering Acceptance and spreading Love. It has a
mental health. Wholesome food comprising of all vision of a stigma-free society that is conducive
the nutrients needed by a human that is for healing and recovery. Services provided by
balanced and eaten in moderation goes a long Club HEAL include day rehabilitative services,
way in nourishing not only the physical self but home visits, public education, support groups and
also the emotional and mental. volunteer training.

Singaporeans are famous (or infamous) for their Office opens from 9am to 5pm on weekdays
enjoyment of food – eating is a national past-time
and cuisine from all parts of the world can be 6899 3463
found easily here. Food is not just a source of
nutrition, it is a social event that brings people 254 Bukit Batok East Ave 5 #01-229
together, be it families on an outing or friends Singapore 650254
having a reunion. In Club HEAL, meal preparation
and eating together is part of the rehabilitative [email protected]
programme at all our centres, and, during
outings, clients, volunteers and staff often share www.clubheal.org.sg
pot luck.
Club-HEAL ClubHEAL_SG
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you
as it was prescribed to those before you, Registration No: T12SS0028K
that you may learn self-restraint …” - 2:183

Nevertheless, not eating also has its benefits.
Fasting is a universal practice common to many
religions for its spiritual value. Every year, during
the month of Ramadan, all able Muslims abstain
from food, drinks and sexual relations from dawn
to dusk in the observation of an obligatory fast. 
Muslims are “prescribed” fasting as a means of
self-purification, which is beneficial not just
spiritually but also physically, emotionally and
mentally.

In this issue of HEAL, we share stories of nutrition
and fasting, and their roles in the healing and
recovery of people with mental health
challenges.

Fasting Mondays  This introverted divorcee and mother of four
& Thursdays, children aged 17, 18, 23 and 25, encourages her
A Way of Life children to follow suit. She notes with a laugh that
fasting on Mondays seems to be okay for them, but,
BY YOHANNA ABDULLAH somehow, Thursdays are difficult. “It was easier to
encourage them to fast on both days when they
Norsiah bte Surnati, an administration assistant at were young.”
Club HEAL, has been fasting every Monday and
Thursday since she was a teenager. The single As for the peers at Club HEAL, she said it is best to
mother has braved many storms since young and follow the doctors’ advice when it comes to fasting
fasted on the recommended days of the week as as it may affect their recovery.
enjoined by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) as her
way of coping with life’s trials and tribulations. Norsiah is truly a gem for Club HEAL for she takes
her responsibilities seriously. She reiterated, “The
A Calming Practice values that I uphold dear are ikhlas (sincerity),
“I practiced this sunnah since I was in my teens amanah (trust) and redha (thankful acceptance).”
following the footsteps of my mother. I came from Performing the sunnah fasts has helped reinforced
a broken home and I sought solace in Allah these principles in her life.
frequently. To calm myself, I fasted every Monday
and Thursday, unless I was unwell,” said Norsiah. Creative Corner

Norsiah certainly exudes a peaceful demeanor and Good Nutrition
calmness, which is very useful considering her
position at the frontline of Club HEAL. “Working at BY SUMAIYAH MOHAMED
Club HEAL for the past four years has been very
enlightening. I have learnt a lot of things and met Honey
all kinds of people. They come to Club HEAL with Glasses of water
one goal – getting help that they could not receive
elsewhere. Often, family members and friends Oatmeal
bring them to Club HEAL as a last resort. I feel it is Cup of black coffee
my duty to fulfil their expectations,” she said. Work waiting for me

The simple lady with a smile for everyone has a Family to live for
light sahur of dates with Milo or plain water and Prayer – do not forget it is air
her breaking of fast is just a light meal. She feels
that she has a duty to her body and must eat Breaths, long and mindful
healthily, have enough rest and exercise. Book in my bag to devour

Inculcating Patience Enthusiasm
Despite having made it a way of life, fasting on Spirit
Mondays and Thursdays is still challenging to her. Hope
“With Monday blues, fasting is not easy. Also, being
the first day of the week, there are more enquiries Giggles
and work. On Thursdays, people are rushing to get Gasps, of wonder
things done before the week ends on Friday.” Journeys – be a traveller
Never stop movement
  “Fasting Mondays and Thursdays has taught me
patience and gratitude. I used to be an impatient Friends
person. I mellowed down a lot. In the past, it Always with good thoughts
helped me to focus when I sat for my school
examinations and it gave me strength when I faced
with challenges in life. It has many spiritual
benefits and different people may experience it
differently,” she said.

She added, “Practice it and you will see the benefit.
Attempt to fast, even if it is not for the whole day.
In time you will gain the strength to do it fully.
What is most important is consistency.”

A Child of Heaven Book Review All proceeds
of book sales
By Yohanna Abdullah
By Yohanna Abdullah will go to
Faridah  bte Noto (“Ida”) is a familiar face at Club
HEAL, having been a peer since the inception of Review of “A Worthwhile Duty” Club HEAL 
the organization. Exuberant and exuding by Dr Radiah Salim,
innocence and sincerity, she has been practicing edited by Noorunnisa d/o PK
the Monday and Thursday recommended fasting Ibrahim Kutty
for 20 years. “I do it to follow  Rasulullah (the
Messenger of God) – there is good in Reading this gem of a book on health, comes easily
fasting, solat, zikir and dua to Allah.”
and one can complete it one sitting, being simple,
She loves food though and has her sahur and break
of fast  with rice and a few  side dishes,  prepared yet compelling. It’s simplicity and sincerity in
enthusiastically at home. Fasting regularly, and not
just  in the month of Ramadhan,  has kept her sharing the way to Allah through appreciating His
healthy and happy.  Rarely does she get sick and
rarely does she miss coming to  Club HEAL’s Gift of a beautiful mind and body shines through
rehabilitation centre at Marsiling. She maintains a
good weight and  actively participates in outdoor The book, illustrated with quotes from the Qu’ran
games such as badminton and rounders there. and Hadiths and quips from renowned people, is a
compilation of  30 essays, including, “Why We Get
Her younger sister, who takes care of her, describes Stressed”, “Success Redefined” and “Building
Ida as “spiritually good”. She is very helpful around Natural Immunity”. The topics are comprehensive
the house and, for 35 years, she had assisted her and cover the most important aspects of
late parents in managing their food stall: maintaining good physical, emotional and mental
accompanying  her mother to the market; helping health. Yet, each essay is short and sweet, making
in the kitchen; and serving customers.  She did reading this book a joy.
this unfailingly even as she fasted on Mondays and
Thursdays, and thereby developed strength Various local luminaries have given positive reviews
and tenacity. of the book. Prof Chua Hong Choon, CEO of IMH,
has commented that “A Worthwhile Duty” is an
This beautiful soul who graces Club HEAL with her “informative and accessible guide for not just the
warm demeanor and easy chatter had only four Malay-Muslim community, but for everyone in
years of formal education. She now sees Club HEAL pursuit of a healthy mind and body”. Dr Elly Sabrina
as her school and especially enjoys  colouring, Ismail, family physician and director of Banyan
although she has also participated in, inter alia, Clinic, feels that “Dr Radiah has rightly
yoga, art, pottery and  Delly’s  healthy eating championed primary prevention” at a time when
and  exercises  classes. “Ida loves coming to Club “chronic illnesses [are] emerging as a result of
HEAL as Ida has a lot of friends and enjoys the unhealthy lifestyle”. Former journalist at Singapore
activities”, she enthuses. Press Holdings (SPH) has applauded Dr Radiah for
her “holistic, yet short and straight to the point”
Anyone who knows her will be impressed by book which is appealing to all, including youths.
her rare quality as “a child of heaven”.  And one of
the ways she will get there, inshaa’Allah is through Despite having chronic health conditions, reading
regular  fasting  and  praying, that is, by treating this book has inspired me to make changes to my
her body as an amanah and feeding the soul. lifestyle and outlook on life. For instance, I like her
reminder that “One of Allah’s attributes is that He is
Be a HEALing Friend Ash-Shafee, the One Who Heals. Believing in Him
entails belief that prayer is powerful in preventing
"You see, the Mu’min in their mutual piety, love and diseases as well as in healing.”
affection, are like a (single) body. When a part (of it)
has a complaint, the whole body is united with it in I especially like the last chapter of the book on
wakefulness and fever.” – (Bukhari and Muslim). resilience, where Dr Radiah writes that resilience to
overcome all challenges lies in one’s worldview and
As a member or a volunteer, you can contribute in attitude. This is encapsulated in the Acronym HEAL
a variety of ways, from assisting in Club HEAL – Hope, Empowerment, Acceptance and Love, the
events to conducting rehabilitative activities! We cornerstones of Club HEAL.
need people from all walks of life who can
contribute their time and skills to fulfil our cause. Hope means that we need to believe that every
To become a member, please fill up the problem has a solution and continue our efforts
membership form available at our website (under to recover when we fall ill. Empowerment means
Resources section) and email it to us at putting the solution into action through knowledge
[email protected] or mail it to: Club HEAL, Blk and applying it with discipline. Acceptance means
244, Bukit Batok East Ave 5, #01-02, Singapore accepting challenges with grace and dignity and
650244. We look forward to hearing from you! knowing that it will bring benefits in our lives even
if we cannot see the good yet. Finally, Love from
family, friends and neighbours brings about
resilience in individuals affected with illnesses and
in turn promotes resilient communities.

The book ends with a quote from the Qur’an, which
is the ideal we should all strive for: “O
you who believe! Persevere in patience and
constancy, vie in such perseverance, strengthen
each other, and fear Allah; so that you may be
successful.” (Qur’an 3:200)

Snapshots of Past Events

1: Caregiver SG Forum @ Golden Landmark – 10 Dec 2019
This forum for caregivers was organised by Senior Counsellor Hamidah with
guest speaker/facilitator Dr Nor Hamidah Mohd Salleh, a consultant psychiatrist from KL.

2: Talk @ Tampines Green – 8 Dec 2019
Dr Radiah shared with 100 residents on Mental Health in English and Mandarin
(with the help of Elaine Sng from AIC).

3: Talk @ Buangkok Centre – 12 Dec 2019
Senior Counsellor Zainal shared on mental health to Pergas wakaf recipients.

4: Our Healing Voice (OHV) Graduation Ceremony – 11 Jan 2020
We are truly proud of all our OHV graduates who have shown commitment,
resilience and courage in empowering themselves through this journey.
Ms Tina Hung, Deputy CEO of NCSS, graced the event as guest-of-honour.

5: Mental Wellness Forum @ Al Taqua Mosque – 18 Jan 2020
Dr Radiah spoke about depression. Speaking along with her was Mr Khalid Ajmain,
Director of Sout Ilaahi. OHV graduates Amalina and Ratna courageously shared
their experiences in recovery from mental health challenges.

6: Talk @ Wisma Geylang Serai – 19 Jan 2020

Senior Counsellor Hamidah Bahaswan provided strategies to overcome depression.
OHV Graduate Ratna shared a powerful recovery story.

7: Forum “Digital Detox” @ Al-Mukminin  Mosque – 1 Feb 2020
Senior Counsellors Feda Momani and Hamidah Bahaswan discussed the need to spend time away from the
internet and digital devices. The talk was well-received by the audience who find it informative and interactive.

8: Panel talk (“Beyond the “Label”) @ Pangdemonium – 4 Feb 2020 Patron in Chief
Peer Support Specialist Sumaiyah was a panelist at this forum on youth suicide co- Mdm Halimah Yacob
organised by NCSS and Pangdemonium.
Patrons
9: Talk (“Zest for life”) @ CJC – 26 Feb 2020 Mr Zaqy Mohamad 
Dr Radiah shared with 30 Interact Club members about Mental Health and Mdm Rahayu Mahzam
her experience in volunteering.
Hon Advisors
10: Town Hall Meeting @ BBE – 29 Feb 2020 Dr Joseph Leong Jern-Yi
Club HEAL’s Management Committee and Management Team came together during Dr Habeebul Rahman
our very first town hall meeting at BBE’s new premises and discussed our restructuring Dr Norhisham Main
exercise. We also feasted on potluck brought by attendees. Dr Sharifah Mariam Aljunied

Hon Legal Counsel
Ms Roslina Baba

Upcoming Events Management Committee
President
1.BBE Reopening and Book Launch of ‘Dari Kambuh ke Sembuh' - (TBC) Dr Radiah Salim
2.Club HEAL Iftar – (TBC) Vice-President
3.Hari Raya Gathering cum Volunteer Appreciation - (TBC) Dr Zuraimi Mohd Dahlan
4.Friday Prayers Mosque Collection – 3 July 2020 Hon Treasurer
Ms Fauziah Mohd Hussein
Pledge Your Support Hon Asst Treasurer
Mr Muhammad Fithri Daud
Do help people with mental health challenges receive the support they need. Hon Secretary
Ms Noorunnisa Ibrahim Kutty
HOW TO GIVE? Interbank transfer - OCBC Current Account Hon Asst Secretary
641372131001. Kindly email [email protected] Ms Rohizan Talib
Online at www.giving.sg/club-heal with your name, NRIC, address, date of transfer
and gift amount. Members
Cheque (crossed & made payable to Ms Amarjit Kaur
'Club HEAL'). Mail to Club HEAL Head Should you have any questions, or wish to make a Dr Bibi Jan Ayyub
Office - 244 Bukit Batok East Ave 5 #01-02 deep and lasting contribution to Club HEAL, Ms Deena Bajrai
Singapore 650244 through a major gift, please get in touch with Ms Eunice Olsen
Fund Manager, Ms Marina Chong at Mr John Ho
[email protected] / +65 8488 5130 Ms Nur Izzati Zainuddin
Ms Siti Aishah Jaafar
Ms Siti Hawa Sulaiman
Ms Siti Noor Baizura Rahmatullah
Ms Tazrinah Hussein

Editorial Team

Chief Editor
Ms Noorunnisa Ibrahim Kutty

Editorial Team Members
Dr Radiah Salim
Ms Sumaiyah Mohamed
Ms Yohanna Abdullah

Designer
Ms Marina Chong