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White: Behind Mental Health Stigma
A book about mental health in Singapore as told through the perspectives of fifty voices including Dr Mythily Subramaniam (IMH & NUS), Dr Terence Yow (AMKFSC), Tina Hung (NCSS), InterUni LGBT Network, Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), Liyana Dhamirah, Indulekshmi Rajeswari, Charmaine Poh, and Rachel Pang Comics.
This consolidation of academic perspectives, professional insights and personal narratives covers a broad range of topics such as trauma, dementia, corporate mental health and post-natal depression. There will also be pieces about navigating our local mental healthcare, a guide to daily journalling, and where to go for help online and offline.
This consolidation of academic perspectives, professional insights and personal narratives covers a broad range of topics such as trauma, dementia, corporate mental health and post-natal depression. There will also be pieces about navigating our local mental healthcare, a guide to daily journalling, and where to go for help online and offline.
- GenresMental Health
288 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2020
5 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 7, 2021
honestly felt that i picked up this book at the right time even though it has left me with a lot of tears and a lot of feels UGH i just want to give this book a hug forever. personally it was a very triggering read, took a lot of breaks in between but i have never felt so validated in my life at the same time. it really means a lot to me and it was a truly much needed read, i really have no words. i will never be able to thank @thewhitebooksg enough. 💚🌱 definitely a must read for everyone, its never too late to educate yourselves on mental health/illnesses, break the sitgma & also to be kind to yourself. ✨
🌱 the feeling that society will reject and discriminate them because of their mental illness becomes a very real struggle that many persons with mental illness have to face. an internal conversation and battle such as what people will think of them when they know about their mental illness becomes a constant fear. this can handicap them as they approach social interaction with others and may cause them to isolate themselves or limit their social interaction.
🌱 forturnately, my family and close friends who were aware were very supportive. they did not reject me because of my diagnosis but doubled their care and concern. when i did not have the strength to accept who i was, they gave me the love and acceptance i needed. i am eternally grateful for their patience in bearing the brunt of my negativity.
🌱 people often ask what to say to help someone feel better. sometimes its not what we say. sometimes its just sitting with someone in silence while they sit with their pain. its allowing someone to just 'be'. you can be you when youre with me. i can be me when im with you. whatever you're like at that point of time. its telling someone that you dont have to go through this alone but with your presence. and that says a lot.
🌱 the feeling that society will reject and discriminate them because of their mental illness becomes a very real struggle that many persons with mental illness have to face. an internal conversation and battle such as what people will think of them when they know about their mental illness becomes a constant fear. this can handicap them as they approach social interaction with others and may cause them to isolate themselves or limit their social interaction.
🌱 forturnately, my family and close friends who were aware were very supportive. they did not reject me because of my diagnosis but doubled their care and concern. when i did not have the strength to accept who i was, they gave me the love and acceptance i needed. i am eternally grateful for their patience in bearing the brunt of my negativity.
🌱 people often ask what to say to help someone feel better. sometimes its not what we say. sometimes its just sitting with someone in silence while they sit with their pain. its allowing someone to just 'be'. you can be you when youre with me. i can be me when im with you. whatever you're like at that point of time. its telling someone that you dont have to go through this alone but with your presence. and that says a lot.
April 16, 2025
This book is a lovely read that feels like a good start to get to know about the many different sides and aspects of mental health, especially so in Singapore. The stories shared by different people has a different voice and tone to it, some feels deeply personal and can be a hard read. I cannot finish this book in one setting as it usually sparks new thoughts and feelings to process. It's an insightful start to learn about mental health, not to fully understand it but to be more aware, empathetic, and hopefully open to many more discussions lead from here (:
July 22, 2021
A comprehensive tome that introduces you to the many facets of personal mental health experiences and current societal states, hinting that this is only the beginning. We have much more to learn. Give yourself time to comprehend, understand, and reflect on the various parts of your life which might need healing, and the spheres you might be able to help.
April 12, 2025
Highly recommend this book. It provides an insightful perspective told through real life stories from first hand experiences. Each story brings relates to a different mental health issue - often unspoken and untold of in Singapore. Thank you for bringing to light some of the challenges faced & also providing resources as support!
April 18, 2021
What a breath of fresh air. White is a fantastic volume of stories, interviews, information and advice about mental health -- the myths and stigmas behind it -- by mental health professionals and writers across all walks of life. I was really moved by the chapters that dealt with grief, caregiving for family members with dementia, how one deals with the aftermath of suicide and how migrant workers were -- or rather, still are -- dealing with anxiety and depression during the pandemic. Highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about what the state of mental health discussions are in Singapore. I sincerely think that this book is going to chart the way in building a more inclusive society in our lifetime -- slowly but surely.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews