https://www.silverribbonsingapore.com/index.

html
https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-bell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9cSdAvUk4s&feature=youtu.be

MENTAL WELLNESS:
Local & global
approaches

https://www.samhealth.org.sg/about-samh/our-logo/ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/green-ribbon-campaign

AY 2019/20 Semester 2 Session 1

 AGENDA
Mental health quiz
Expectations
Names & notions
Topics & schedule
Articles & resources
Looking within
 Mental health quiz

http://www.visionsteen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Mental-
Health-Bulletin_Page_1.jpg
 Expectations
Intended Learning outcomes
At the end of the module, you should be able to
• understand & articulate the key concepts & issues
related to mental wellness at the global, local and
individual levels.
• outline different approaches to mental wellness
• examine & critically assess the perspectives &
practices of diverse approaches to mental health
• explore & develop appropriate strategies for mental
resilience
 Expectations
Teaching & learning modes
• Weekly seminars
• Seminar discussion – 8 pairs
• Invited speakers –
Ms Renay Pereira (Caregivers Alliance)
A/P Leong Chan Hoong (SUSS) & Dr Linda Matar
• Special sessions/Field trip
Touch Community Services
A/P Celestial Yap (YLLSM)
Forest bathing (Ms Yap Youmin, Xiu Nature Connections)
• Field project presentation
 Expectations
Assessment

Participation (individual) 15%

Participate in class discussions, critique the readings and debate on issues
raised by their peers or experts during the regular and special sessions.

Critical response (individual) 15%

Write a ‘one-sentence/question/short paragraph’ response to the weekly
sessions, which can be based on a reading, lecture, class discussion or field
visit. The response should reflect independent and critical thinking. Specific
instructions will be provided for each response.
 Expectations
Assessment
Seminar discussion (pair) 20%
Lead the class discussion on an assigned topic for about 20-30 minutes. This
should include a presentation of the key ideas of the assigned readings and
activities to engage the class in the discussion of the topic. The discussion
should encourage critical thinking and reflection. You are expected to draw
information from other sources and design the discussion to engage the class.

Week 2 SD 1 - Mental wellness in Singapore

Week 3 SD 2 - Medical approaches to mental health: Psychiatry/ Psychotherapy
Week 4 SD 3 - Disciplinary perspectives on mental health: Geography
Week 4 SD 4 - Disciplinary perspectives on mental health: Economics
Week 5 SD 5 - Integrated approaches
Week 6 SD 6 - Digital technology, media and mental health
Week 7 SD 7 - Mental health and illness across cultures
Week 8 SD 8 - Ideological & spiritual perspectives on wellbeing
 Expectations
Assessment
Field project (group) 30% (Week 11/12)
Work in small groups (4 per group) on a field project to develop your
understanding of a selected approach to mental wellness (e.g. medical
approach, creative approach) and reflect on its relevance to the your own lives
and/or that of your peers/families. You can choose to present your main findings
in one of the following formats:
• Report of 1000-1200 words/student
• Photo Essay of 2-3 photos and 800-1000 words/student
• Documentary of 4-5 minutes
• Another format (propose a different format)
You will also give a short oral presentation of your key insights in week 11/12.

Reflection (individual) 20% (Reading week)

Write a 1000-1200 word reflection at the end of the module to sum up your
thoughts, questions and feelings about the most significant learning points on
mental wellness. This can be based on a particular seminar/field trip/invited
speaker session or the module as a whole.
 Expectations

Academic integrity

Wang Liqin
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2007-12/21/content_6338608.htm
 Expectations

• Attend all sessons.

• Be respectful.
• Come prepared.
Topics Topics & schedule
W1 Exploring mental (un)wellness
W2 Caregivers Alliance (Renay Pereira) 22 Jan (Wed) 6.00 – 7.00 pm
W2 Mental wellness in Singapore
W3 Medical approaches
W4 Disciplinary perspectives: Geography & Economics
W5 Leong Chan-Hoong & Linda Matar 12 Feb (Wed) 6.00 – 8.00 pm
W5 Integrated approaches
W6 Digital technology, media & mental health
W6 Touch Community Services 22 Feb (Sat) 9.30 – 11.30 am
RW Singapore Mental Health Film Festival (27 Feb – 1 Mar)
W7 Mental health and illness across cultures
W8 Ideological & spiritual perspectives on wellbeing
W9 Strategies for mental wellness – mindfulness, exercise*
W10 Strategies for mental wellness – self-care & support *
W13 Exploring mental (un)wellness
*Mindfulness (Celestial Yap)
**Forest Therapy (Yap Youmin) @Singapore Botanic Gardens
 Topics & schedule
Special sessions
WEEK DATE TOPIC
2 22 Jan Caregivers Alliance (Renay Pereira) 6.00 – 7.00 pm
5 12 Feb Panel: Leong Chan-Hoong & Linda Matar 6.00 – 8.00 pm
6 22 Feb Touch Community Services 22 Feb (Sat) 9.30 – 11.30 am
RW 27 Feb Singapore Mental Health Film Festival
– 1 Mar
9 19 Mar Mindfulness (Celestial Yap)
10 26 Mar Forest Therapy (Yap Youmin) @Singapore Botanic
Gardens
 Names & notions
• Name
• Major
• Expectations
 Names & notions
Notions of mental health

• What is mental (un)wellness?

• How do you know if
someone is (un)well?
 Articles & resources
Galderisi, S., Heinz, A., Kastrup, M., Beezhold, J., & Sartorius, N. (2015). Toward
a new definition of mental health. World Psychiatry: Official journal of the
World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 14(2), 231-233. Doi:10.1002/wps.20231

Manderscheid, R. W., Ryff, C. D., Freeman, E. J., McKnight-Eily, L. R., Dhingra,

S., & Strine, T. W. (2010). Evolving definitions of mental illness and wellness.
Preventing Chronic Disease: Public health research, practice, and policy. 7(1),
1-5. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20040234

Saks, E. (2012, June). Elyn Saks: A tale of mental illness – from the inside [Video
file]. Retrieved from
https://www.ted.com/talks/elyn_saks_seeing_mental_illness
 Articles & resources

Galderisi et al (2015)
What is WHO’s definition?
Is this a good definition? Why/Why not?
What are the key concepts according to other papers?

What is the authors’ new definition?

What are the key concepts?

What is your response?

 Articles & resources

Manderscheid et al (2010)
How have the definitions evolve over the years?
What are the implications for health reforms & health care
reforms?

What is your response?

 Articles & resources

Saks (2012)

What is the main takeaway for you?

 Looking within

http://supermarketnews.co.nz/countdown-supports-mental-wellness/
 Session 2
Mental wellness in Singapore

Loh K.S., Kua E.H., & Mahendran, R. (2017). Mental Health and
Psychiatry in Singapore: From Asylum to Community Care. In H.
Minas & M. Lewis (Eds.), Mental Health in Asia and the
Pacific: Historical and Cultural Perspectives - International and
Cultural Psychology (pp.1-7). Boston, MA: Springer.

Institute of Mental Health (2018, December 11). Latest

nationwide study shows 1 in 7 people in Singapore has
experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime [Media release].
Retrieved from https://www.imh.com.sg/page.aspx?id=124
 Resources
Galderisi, S., Heinz, A., Kastrup, M., Beezhold, J., & Sartorius, N. (2015). Toward a new definition of mental health.
World Psychiatry: Official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 14(2), 231-233. Doi:10.1002/wps.20231

Lakey, M. (2013, April 15). The Semicolon Project: a Promotional Video [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9cSdAvUk4s&feature=youtu.be

Manderscheid, R. W., Ryff, C. D., Freeman, E. J., McKnight-Eily, L. R., Dhingra, S., & Strine, T. W. (2010). Evolving
definitions of mental illness and wellness. Preventing Chronic Disease: Public health research, practice, and policy.
7(1), 1-5. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20040234

Mental Health America (2020). The mental health bell. Retrieved from https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-bell

Mental health quiz (Time to Change)

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/mental-health-quiz

Mental Health Foundation (2020). Green ribbon for mental health awareness. Retrieved from
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Find out your good mental health score (Mental Health Foundation)
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/good-mental-health-survey

http://www.visionsteen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Mental-Health-Bulletin_Page_1.jpg

http://supermarketnews.co.nz/countdown-supports-mental-wellness/

Saks, E. (2012, June). Elyn Saks: A tale of mental illness – from the inside [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.ted.com/talks/elyn_saks_seeing_mental_illness