On 13 November, 2021, SGM Beacon Group organised an online health talk titled “Achieving Mental Wellness in the Midst of the Pandemic” in both Chinese and English sessions. The speakers included Dr Siow Yoon Kee, Dr Ching Siew Mooi, Dr Ling Shiao Ling and Ms Wong Siew Lee.

Mental disorders have always been sneaking around our society. Now, along with the Covid-19 pandemic, they have become serious as more people are mentally ill. Symptoms such as stress, depression, sleep disorders and difficulty in engaging with others can be seen from people around us, or even ourselves.

The speakers answered several common questions regarding sleep disorders, the myths of washing hands regularly, things to do when recovering from an infection and the presence of suicidal or negative thoughts.

Basic habits like setting up the correct biological clock, exercising regularly, avoiding caffeinated beverages and not using electronic devices before sleep can help treat sleep disorders. If a person is suffering from mental disorders, the person can try to control the urge of having negative thoughts by talking things out with someone they trust, replacing it with something beneficial or engaging in wholesome activities. Another interesting way is to design a timeslot for worrying over matters.

If the condition worsens, the person should not be afraid of seeking help from professionals although it can be difficult to tell someone about intimate issues.

In his conclusion, Dr Siow said that seeing a psychiatrist is not a sign of failure. He advocated that our mindset should be able to absorb hardships and resolve them with resilience. He encouraged the participants to never give up on solving troubles, supporting each other and devoting themselves to the present moment.

In total, 1,662 participants benefited from this talk.