HEAL Newsletter 25

VOL. 25 | JUL - SEP 2019 In Club HEAL, some clients thrive through the
rehab programme at our centres. There, they
HEAL spend quality time with volunteers, staff and
peers with similar mental health challenges.
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS At these ‘homes away from home’, they get to
do many things together like exercise
Social Support for Healing and Recovery sessions, gardening, preparing and having
meals, art and craft sessions, games, group
No man is an island. discussions and going out on community
outings.  Even if they are not able to fully
That includes people with mental health challenges. participate, just being there among friends, at
We need others just as we need air, food, water and a place where they feel accepted for who they
a roof over our heads. It is a basic human need.  are, is very healing.

People in recovery who have very good support from
their families and friends, as well as fellow students
or working colleagues, always do better than those
without.

Social support is a two-way process. In Club HEAL, we “Allah, the Most High, has said, ‘My
encourage our clients to reach out to the community by love is due to those who love one
sharing their stories in media channels and public talks, another for My sake, who sit together
and even getting involved in other community for My sake, who visit one another for
programmes such as those at mosques and community My sake, who bestow things on one
clubs. This way, we hope for a domino effect where we another for My sake.’” 
not only help educate the community about mental – [Hadith, Malik]
health challenges and the work of Club HEAL, but also
attract more to give their support as volunteers, “Open your heart and through challenges, you
sponsors and donors.  will find brothers and sisters and mothers and
fathers in the entire universe.”– Iman Harharah
And at Club HEAL we are hopeful that these actions  
also bring upon all of us the blessings of Allah Most “What is home? My favourite definition is ‘a safe
Loving Most Merciful. place’, a place where one is free from attack, a
place where one experiences secure
relationships and affirmation. It's a place where
people share and understand each other. Its
relationships are nurturing. The people in it do
not need to be perfect; instead, they need to be
honest, loving, supportive, recognizing a
common humanity that makes all of us
vulnerable.”- Gladys Hunt

Overcoming Her Shyness and Utilising Her Time
Fruitfully at Club HEAL By Yohanna Abdullah

Six years ago, Aminah bte Mohd  
Saijab, 58, was shy and reticent.
“I like the exercises and yoga
with Aneez Fathima; the cooking
After being in Club HEAL for day lessons with Delly and Art with
rehabilitation five days a week,
Nhawfal. On Fridays, we have
however, she has grown to love
computer lessons, which are also
the time spent there with others, very popular.”
doing diverse activities such as Aminah feels she has changed
through through her time at Club
art and craft, Yoga and playing Aminah – like the other more HEAL.

her favourite game, Rummikub. elderly clients – are accompanied “I was the typical shy type in
school. But the shyness has gone, I
  by their helpers at the day centre. am less shy now. I have many
friends now and even if I do not
Aminah, who has schizophrenia, Quite a few participants are in invite them to my house, they will
come to my house for Hari Raya.”
still hears voices from time to their 70s and need one-to-one
Aminah tries to give back to Club
time but she feels they are less assistance. A few of them also HEAL by cooking for her friends at
the rehabilitation centre and
intrusive now. “I follow closely demand personal attention or they buying titbits and fruits with the
monthly allowance she receives
the rehabilitation process taught try to bully their fellow patients, for helping out with chores at the
centre. She also coaches the
by the PEs (Programme according to Aminah. “It’s OK, I foreign helpers to speak English.
For Hari Raya, she and her helper
Executives) even at home, such give in to them. I get merit also made cookies for the centre.
 
as massage to release pressure points for being patient and In this way she finds support for
herself and she supports others
as taught by Sumaiyah.” obliging.” like her.
 
 

Aminah, who stays with her  
married daughter, asked the
hospital to refer her to a day
rehabilitation centre as she was
feeling “restless” at home
without suitable activities to
engage her.  

Spending time at Club HEAL
(Bukit Batok) has provided her
with the break she needs.

Supinah's Recovery Journey By  Rishah Zainal & Sumaiyah Mohamed

A bit of my struggles The need for a socially At Club HEAL, there are many
supportive environment activities for us such as motivational
I am 53 years old and mother of three Club HEAL is a blessing talks, pottery, sewing, quilling, etc.
children. I used to be a multi-tasking The hands-on crafts, such as quilling
person, juggling between different I really did not understand much greeting cards, proved really helpful
roles at work as an administrative about the illness until I joined rehab to me because I could focus and I felt
assistant at a marine company for at Club HEAL as a client. proud and happy when I saw the
eight years, including HR, finance and finished products. I also felt I
more. I was happy, but, gradually, the belonged at Club HEAL as I received
job started to take a toll on me. social support during informal
sharing sessions with fellow clients
The mental health challenges started led by programme coordinator Kak
in November 2014 when I suddenly Junn. There is no judgment amongst
felt breathless. I thought it was due to us.
tiredness until my daughter sent me to
NUH in February 2015 because I really If we isolate ourselves at home, we
could not breathe. There, the doctor will not recover as well because
diagnosed me as having anxiety we are stuck in our thoughts and
disorder. I then left my job in the feelings. Social support helps us
marine company. learn from fellow people in
recovery (...).

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT UPCOMING
EVENTS
Do help people with mental health challenges receive the
support they need. HOW TO GIVE? JULY

Online at www.giving.sg/club-heal Date: 8 & 30 July
ARC Lecture Series by
interbank transfer - OCBC Current Account Asatizahs
641372131001. Kindly email [email protected] with your Date: 19 July
name, NRIC, address, date of transfer and gift amount. Friday Mosque Collection

Cheque (crossed & made payable to 'Club HEAL'). Mail to AUGUST
Club HEAL Head Office - 244 Bukit Batok East Ave 5 #01-
02 Singapore 650244 Date: 30 August
Dementia Talk @ Mujahidin
Should you have any questions, or wish to make a deep and Date: 31 August
lasting contribution to Club HEAL, through a major gift, please Talk on Mental Illness @
get in touch with Fund Manager, Ms Marina Chong at Assyakirin
[email protected] / +65 8488 5130
SEPTEMBER
BE A HEALING FRIEND
Date: 11 & 25 September
“You see, the Mu’min in their mutual piety, love and affection, are like a ARS Lecture series for
(single) body. When a part (of it) has a complaint, the whole body is united Asatizahs
with it in wakefulness and fever.” – (Bukhari and Muslim).
CREATIVE CORNER
As a member or a volunteer, you can contribute in a variety of ways,
from assisting in Club HEAL events to conducting rehabilitative A Mandala is a symbol in colourful
activities! We need people from all walks of life who can contribute their geometric forms representing the
time and skills to fulfil our cause. To become a member, please fill up the universe. Our peers worked as a
membership form available at our website (under Resources section) group to produce a Mandala design
and email it to us at [email protected] or mail it to: Club HEAL, Blk of their own from scratch,
244, Bukit Batok East Ave 5, #01-02, Singapore 650244. We look employing a good sense of
forward to hearing from you! communal creativity.

(...). Kak Junn believed in me Kak Junn really believed in me.
Through her recommendation, I
During Club HEAL rehabilitation, was invited to join as a Programme
I was mentored by Kak Junn. She Executive (PE) so I could
empowered me by guiding me contribute back to Club HEAL.
with knowledge of all sorts – from When I see the clients every day,
quilling to sewing cross stitch to we joke and it makes my day to
just talking about how to interact with them. I am concerned
overcome mental health for them and I empower them by
challenges. She saw strength encouraging them to participate
in me and knew I could and learn from the various
contribute to the Club HEAL activities.
family. I started to earn a small
income through the pushcart at Words I would to share
Ng Teng Fong Hospital.
What helped me recover most was
To my clients in rehab, do taught by volunteer Ms Shari during a
not give up – recovery is rehab support group. She said we
must have “AFAL” – Awareness,
certainly possible! Forgiveness, Acceptance and “Let go
with Love”. With AFAL, I have
managed to move on from the
struggles I had within my personal
life and build stronger relationships.

SNAPSHOTS OF PAST EVENTS Chief Patron
Mdm Halimah Yacob
23 March, Golden Life Elder Suicide Prevention Seminar
Dr Radiah gave a talk on elder suicide from an Islamic perspective and was part of a panel Patrons
discussion with speakers from other faith groups to a captive audience of 200 at this Mr Zaqy Mohamad 
seminar organised by SAGE Counselling services. Mdm Rahayu Mahzam
27 March, Talk @ Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah
Madrasah counsellors, Nurleen and Noraliza, gave a talk on mental health and well-being Hon Advisors
to a group of 300 students and 30 teachers. Dr Joseph Leong Jern-Yi
28 March, Talk @ City Gas Dr Habeebul Rahman
Ms Hery, senior manager, COMIT, spoke to staff on mental health. It was well-received. Dr Norhisham Main
30 March, Physical, Mental and Metaphysical Seminar @ SuChi Success Dr Sharifah Mariam Aljunied
Dr Radiah shared on the biological basis of mental illness at a seminar aimed at
distinguishing mental illness from jinn possession. Hon Legal Counsel
30 March, Staff Retreat Ms Roslina Baba
Club HEAL staff bonded over good food, exciting games and a movie screening.
3 April, Talk @ MHPA for Asatizah MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Dr Radiah shared with 20 asatizah on mental health and smoking cessation at MUIS in a talk President
series. Dr Radiah Salim
12 April, Talk on Mental Resilience at RI Vice-President
Organised by the Rotaract Club of Singapore at RI, this was a lively discussion where Ms Dr Zuraimi Mohd Dahlan
Hery shared with students on how they can take care of their mental well-being while facing Hon Treasurer
examination stress and parental expectations. Ms Fauziah Mohd Hussein
14 April, Talk @ Assyafaah Anxiety & Youths Hon Asst Treasurer
Camp FEAR organised by Assyafaah mosque hopes to prepare youths for the uncertain Ms Maimunah Jumat
future, and counsellor Nabiilah shared common anxiety features among youths, as well as Hon Secretary
coping strategies. Ms Noorunnisa Ibrahim Kutty
20 April, Talk & Booth @ Yusof Ishak Mosque Hon Asst Secretary
Club HEAL joined Yusof Ishak Mosque in commemorating Aafiya Fest – the first event Ms Rohizan Talib
celebrating health, spirituality and family – through a talk on wellness conducted by
Counsellor Balqis and a booth by our Northern CREST team. Members
27 April, HFT @ PRE Dr Bibi Jan Ayyub
Healing Friends Training was organised to equip participants with the necessary skills to Ms Deena Bajrai
build a therapeutic relationship with peers (persons with mental health challenges). Ms Sitit Aishah Jaafar
28 April, Meet The Residents @ Buangkok Crescent Ms Siti Hawa Sulmaiman
The Club HEAL team reached out to the residents of Buangkok through a booth and a talk by Ms Siti Noor Baizura Rahmatullah
Dr Radiah. Ms Tazrinah Hussein
6 May, Mental Health Talk @ ITE West Mr John Ho
Counsellors Daniel and Nabiilah were invited to share on common mental health conditions Ms Eunice Olsen
such as anxiety and panic, as well as self-harm behaviours, with a few classes at ITE West. Ms Amarjit Kaur
Ms Nur Izzati Zainuddin
10 May, Iftar @ PRE
Club HEAL celebrated Ramadan with our mental health beneficiaries, caregivers, donors and Editorial Team
volunteers. Mr Zainal Sapari, MP for Pasir Ris East Constituency, was the guest of honour for Chief Editor
the evening. During the event, some of our beneficiaries were bestowed awards for qualities Ms Noorunnisa Ibrahim Kutty
such as courage, compassion and creativity. They were nominated by their case workers.
Food hampers as well as vouchers were also distributed to less privileged beneficiaries. Writers
These were generously sponsored by MUIS, KweeGee and 2ndChance. There was also a Sumaiyah Mohamed
panel sharing by Our HEALng Voice clients of their lived experience with mental health Radiah Salim
challenges and their experience with Ramadan. Rishah Zainal
Cherene Leong
14 May, Guest Speakers for Radio @ Ngee Ann Poly
Counsellors Daniel and Nabiilah were invited as guest speakers at a radio broadcast on the Designer
topic of mental health. Marina Chong

18 May, Booth @ Our Tampines Hub Contact Club HEAL
Club HEAL Eastern CREST Team together with Club HEAL CEO shared about Club HEAL & Office: 6899 3463
CREST services with the public during the Hari Raya Bazaar 2019 event booth. We were also (9am – 5pm weekdays)
privileged to have Mr Baey Yam Keng and Mr Desmond Choo visit our booth. Mailing Address:
Blk 244, Bukit Batok East Ave 5,
29 June, Hari Raya & Volunteer Appreciation Celebration 2019  #01-02 Singapore 650244
Club HEAL recognised our volunteers for their remarkable commitment in raising awareness Email: [email protected] 
for mental health and supporting our activities. Madam Halimah Yacob, President of Website: www.clubheal.org.sg
Singapore and Patron in Chief of Club HEAL was the guest-of-honour. FB: Club-HEAL
Registration No: T12SS0028K