What do you think?
Rate this book
Stories We Don’t Tell
Diverse voices on mental wellness in Singapore that bring you closer to your emotional and mental truth Stories We Don’t Tell consists of a series of heartfelt and moving repositories of conversations with people who have lived experiences of mental health challenges. These candid talks revealed not just the challenges these individuals faced, but the immense amount of courage and strength and self-love they carried throughout their mental health journey.
While the mental health conversation was elevated in 2020, people have always been navigating mental health issues, whether it be through major life changes, relationship difficulties, financial struggles or more. Understanding how life’s challenges affect our mental and emotional states is crucial if we want to become a society that is more compassionate towards each other. An unexamined life is not worth living, and an unlived life is not worth examining. These raw transcribed stories from dialogues that were taken in real time will take you through the personal journeys of those who lived, and are still living, with mental health—and hopefully allow you to better understand what mental health truly is, beyond the hearsay.
While the mental health conversation was elevated in 2020, people have always been navigating mental health issues, whether it be through major life changes, relationship difficulties, financial struggles or more. Understanding how life’s challenges affect our mental and emotional states is crucial if we want to become a society that is more compassionate towards each other. An unexamined life is not worth living, and an unlived life is not worth examining. These raw transcribed stories from dialogues that were taken in real time will take you through the personal journeys of those who lived, and are still living, with mental health—and hopefully allow you to better understand what mental health truly is, beyond the hearsay.
224 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2022
50 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 4, 2025
Loved the introduction section written by MK and the dialogues by the individuals were all very well articulated (even it might sound repeated - but hey the point is for repeated reminders so that we treat mental health as important as our physical health). Just in time for mental health day on 10/10.
November 3, 2022
Much about mental health advocacy in recent times revolves around telling people about certain signs, symptoms, or behaviours to look out for. But I find that these are limited in how much they can expand a person’s ability to relate, to connect, and to empathise with the next person, so that if they should ever come across somebody who is calling out for help or going through something without saying anything, they have a much wider capacity and ability to sense that without having to refer to a mental checklist. Because people don’t all exhibit certain things in the same way, nor can we go about connecting with people with a fixed outlook.
“Stories We Don’t Tell” is one of the most authentic documentations of what an authentic conversation can look like, where a person’s deepest pains, losses, worries, struggles, ambitions, dreams, grievances, and hopes are shared – if only we were able to hold that safe and non-judgmental space. Reading these conversations didn’t feel like reading – I felt like I was right there with them as the conversation unfolded, being given the privilege to listen in. And these conversations highlighted to me how much a person also doesn’t say, in what he or she says. It highlighted how good people have trained themselves to be at keeping up appearances for the sake of survival, for validation, or any semblance of belonging and acceptance. It highlighted that success in one’s career does not necessarily mean success in one’s life as a person – and that even the most successful, high-performing, and high-achieving people have their own struggles without having people who would understand.
It made me realise that no amount of textbook education on symptoms and signs can compensate for the impact that a single conversation can have – if that conversation was had in the right manner, with the right intention.
I believe what is understated and easily glossed over is the profound demonstration by the author himself on what listening actually is, versus what most people think it to be. It shows just how powerful one conversation can be, if we knew how to listen right and just be there for another person. It shows how just a single conversation can plant a seed in a person’s life for fundamental shifts to occur – if they continued watering that plant. And I believe this is one of the most important key ingredients to creating a much healthier, safe, and thriving society. Perhaps what we need is not more education about mental health specifically in isolation, but a deeper connection to ourselves and what our lives are about, so that we can relate, connect, and hold space for others – whether we have been in their shoes before or not.
This book painted a clear vision for a possible future we can all work towards, right from the beginning with the author's message to readers: if we knew how to listen, if we educated ourselves about human connection, if we prioritised the growth of our collective instead of just the growth of ourselves individualistically, we would be able to build a much stronger foundation for a society that not only knows what it means to connect, but also what it means to be human.
“Stories We Don’t Tell” is one of the most authentic documentations of what an authentic conversation can look like, where a person’s deepest pains, losses, worries, struggles, ambitions, dreams, grievances, and hopes are shared – if only we were able to hold that safe and non-judgmental space. Reading these conversations didn’t feel like reading – I felt like I was right there with them as the conversation unfolded, being given the privilege to listen in. And these conversations highlighted to me how much a person also doesn’t say, in what he or she says. It highlighted how good people have trained themselves to be at keeping up appearances for the sake of survival, for validation, or any semblance of belonging and acceptance. It highlighted that success in one’s career does not necessarily mean success in one’s life as a person – and that even the most successful, high-performing, and high-achieving people have their own struggles without having people who would understand.
It made me realise that no amount of textbook education on symptoms and signs can compensate for the impact that a single conversation can have – if that conversation was had in the right manner, with the right intention.
I believe what is understated and easily glossed over is the profound demonstration by the author himself on what listening actually is, versus what most people think it to be. It shows just how powerful one conversation can be, if we knew how to listen right and just be there for another person. It shows how just a single conversation can plant a seed in a person’s life for fundamental shifts to occur – if they continued watering that plant. And I believe this is one of the most important key ingredients to creating a much healthier, safe, and thriving society. Perhaps what we need is not more education about mental health specifically in isolation, but a deeper connection to ourselves and what our lives are about, so that we can relate, connect, and hold space for others – whether we have been in their shoes before or not.
This book painted a clear vision for a possible future we can all work towards, right from the beginning with the author's message to readers: if we knew how to listen, if we educated ourselves about human connection, if we prioritised the growth of our collective instead of just the growth of ourselves individualistically, we would be able to build a much stronger foundation for a society that not only knows what it means to connect, but also what it means to be human.
October 6, 2022
𝐜𝐰: 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡
never would i have thought that i would wrap up my last read for #suicidepreventionmonth with such a heartfelt read in a local context 🇸🇬 naturally picked this up in the new arrivals library shelf and im so glad i did 🤧 ((also still thinking why this wasnt in the singapore collection...but oh wells))
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. written in an interview kinda format style - more like having an intimate talk w/ one another; it features a collection of conversations with people in singapore who have lived experiences of mental health challenges. honestly i didnt expect a lot as wasnt a fan of the writing format in the first place but it kinda gives off that "i want to die but i want to eat tteokbokki" vibes so thank goodness!!! that i got used to it after several pages 😆
if i could only share ONE feeling that i have out of many after reading this book, it would be feeling thankful. :') it gave me some time to ponder & reflect on my personal journey and realize that theres just so many things to be thankful for & im so thankful for the brave contributors who came up front to talk about something difficult and personal in hopes to inspire more people to begin looking into themselves & that, there is no shame in seeking help. ugh thank you thank you thank you 💖
its also a reminder that everyone's fighting a battle you might know nothing about. vulnerability leads to vulnerability & admitting weakness and sharing our difficult stories is an incredibly freeing act. it removes burden and weight from our shoulders and i personally think that it provides others the freedom and strength to share theirs.
sometimes i myself would encounter difficult conversations where its hard to express myself honestly but recently, i find new depth in my relationships with my loved ones especially when i can just truly be myself.
its a process but im taking one step at a time ✨ yall can already tell that this book really hits me on a personal level!!! 🤯 ((in a good way)) it also makes me feel really thankful for the people that i have in my life that has been supportive. its an indescribable feeling 💚🌱
never would i have thought that i would wrap up my last read for #suicidepreventionmonth with such a heartfelt read in a local context 🇸🇬 naturally picked this up in the new arrivals library shelf and im so glad i did 🤧 ((also still thinking why this wasnt in the singapore collection...but oh wells))
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. written in an interview kinda format style - more like having an intimate talk w/ one another; it features a collection of conversations with people in singapore who have lived experiences of mental health challenges. honestly i didnt expect a lot as wasnt a fan of the writing format in the first place but it kinda gives off that "i want to die but i want to eat tteokbokki" vibes so thank goodness!!! that i got used to it after several pages 😆
if i could only share ONE feeling that i have out of many after reading this book, it would be feeling thankful. :') it gave me some time to ponder & reflect on my personal journey and realize that theres just so many things to be thankful for & im so thankful for the brave contributors who came up front to talk about something difficult and personal in hopes to inspire more people to begin looking into themselves & that, there is no shame in seeking help. ugh thank you thank you thank you 💖
its also a reminder that everyone's fighting a battle you might know nothing about. vulnerability leads to vulnerability & admitting weakness and sharing our difficult stories is an incredibly freeing act. it removes burden and weight from our shoulders and i personally think that it provides others the freedom and strength to share theirs.
sometimes i myself would encounter difficult conversations where its hard to express myself honestly but recently, i find new depth in my relationships with my loved ones especially when i can just truly be myself.
its a process but im taking one step at a time ✨ yall can already tell that this book really hits me on a personal level!!! 🤯 ((in a good way)) it also makes me feel really thankful for the people that i have in my life that has been supportive. its an indescribable feeling 💚🌱
October 21, 2022
'Stories We Don't Tell' is the first book of 'Threading Worlds: Conversations on Mental Health' series by author Hun Ming Kwang who is also the founder of 'This.Connect', a Singaporean movement that raises awareness about mental health through art. The books consist of conversations with Singaporeans from various backgrounds that have been dealing with mental health issues; as a survivor, friend, caregiver, community member, or mental health professionals.
I found this book very honest (as it didn't heavily edit the original conversation) and profoundly moving. There is a story from someone whose good friend committed suicide, a successful actor who suffered from depression, a father as one of the caregivers, a sister who is the main caregiver, and even a coach talking about mental health as an integral part of an athlete's health. Every story gives us a different perspective so we understand mental health as a real issue in society and how it requires collective effort.
What I also like is the interviewer seemed to practice active listening but was able to explore the questions that were reflective an relevant for both the speakers and the readers.
I found this book very honest (as it didn't heavily edit the original conversation) and profoundly moving. There is a story from someone whose good friend committed suicide, a successful actor who suffered from depression, a father as one of the caregivers, a sister who is the main caregiver, and even a coach talking about mental health as an integral part of an athlete's health. Every story gives us a different perspective so we understand mental health as a real issue in society and how it requires collective effort.
What I also like is the interviewer seemed to practice active listening but was able to explore the questions that were reflective an relevant for both the speakers and the readers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews