CAL E-Newsletter Issue #2 / April – June 2014 The CAL e-Newsletter is a quarterly circulation that reports on recent activities, events and stories from volunteers and caregivers of persons with mental illness. In this issue, we would like to share the changes in CAL, introduce new faces and showcase graduating classes from the C2C Education Programme with feedback from caregivers who have attended the C2C programme. We would also like to welcome Jared Goh, our new volunteer manager for community outreach, as well as our new counsellor Yuh Fen, to the CAL family. This issue will also feature what’s happening at the Caregivers Support Centre since its inception in December 2013, introduce some caregivers, trainers and volunteers who will share a heart warming tale or two. Do visit our revamped website at www.cal.org.sg and our social media channels to find out more about our upcoming social events. We sincerely hope you will enjoy reading our e-Newsletter as much as we have enjoyed producing it. Do feel free to give us your comments and feedback at [email protected]. Teri See Communications Introducing Jared Goh Introducing Yuh Fen CAL’s New Volunteer Manager for Community Outreach Counsellor at Caregivers Support Centre I first knew about CAL when I joined their Caregiver-toCaregiver Educational Programme (C2C). The course helped me to learn more about mental illness and the recovery journey with my sister. I left the IT industry, which I have been in for many years, to take care of my family. After seeing how CAL has helped caregivers and their loved ones, I felt inspired to be part of this caregiving family and thus joined the company when the opportunity arose. I hope to deliver the message that "We are not alone" and be able to reach out and support as many caregivers as possible. Jared Goh <[email protected]> Volunteer Manager for Community Outreach 大家好，我是玉芬，照顾者联盟的辅导员，这是我第一 次从事培训照顾者的工作。在工作的过程中，我从照顾 者身上看到了他们对患病亲人无条件的爱与奉献，并深 深地被他们所付出的努力给打动。照顾者所分享的经验 和感受也让我获益良多，这也成了我继续在教育培训这 领域前进的推动力。我希望能够在未来的日子里为照顾 者提供更多的帮助与支持。 Chong Yuh Fen<[email protected]> Counsellor Caregivers Support Centre Welcomes visitors from ComChest and NCSS CSC received visitors from NCSS and Community Chest on 2nd May 2014. Eunice Quek, Programme Manager of CAL, gave a brief orientation about Caregivers Support Centre and its services. View photos >> CAL E-Newsletter Issue #2 / April – June 2014 Caregivers-to-Caregivers (C2C) Educational Programmes Graduation of C2C Class – Pasir Ris 28th April 2014 Eleven caregivers from Pasir Ris C2C class graduated on 28th April 2014. It was a night filled with laughter, tears and joy as everyone recounted their journey from the first day of the class 12 weeks ago. Highlights of the night included a sharing by Ms Irene Sng, Program Director of Employment Support Services (ESS), a speech by Ms Eunice Quek, Program Manager of CAL and a certificate presentation ceremony. The caregivers celebrated with a potluck dinner and a musical performance on guitar and ukulele, and songs with touching lyrics. With the night coming to an end, everyone said their goodbyes but knew within their hearts that their journey together will continue. + Feedback from C2C class attendees “I feel that the programme had benefitted me… I now know how to deal with the situation better. Trainers are good, giving many life experiences…”, Kristal Chong “Well conducted by CAL trainers, the C2C programme is beneficial to me as a caregiver. Trainers are knowledgeable and have the ability to communicate lesson objectives…”, Samuel Ong. “Dedication and fairness of trainers to be commented…”, Wang Min Yue “CAL is important to me. I try to learn as much here. It has improved my confidence in coping with my son and helped in his recovery … excellent and dedicated teachers…”, Ashok Hanumanth. “I can now empathise more with my loved one. Trainers should be complimented for the makeup lessons they provide, especially the oneto-one lessons. Comprehensive and balanced view of how caregivers can contribute …”, Leong Yu Kiang. Graduation of C2C Mandarin Class at Hougang Care Centre 31th May 2014 照顾者互助培训课程2014年第五班的学习（后港关怀中心）在5月31日圆满完成。 所有的照顾者和讲师们都在这12个星期里学到了 很多照顾患病亲人的经验。毕业典礼当天，照顾者 一一分享了课程对他们的帮助。通过这个课程让他 们更积极的面对精神病，也让他们更好的面对自己 的负面情绪。他们通过运用课程中的“反映式倾听”， “我声明和你声明”，“同理心”等技巧改善了与亲人 的沟通，增进了与亲人的亲密关系。身为讲师的照 顾者，也分享了他们从这些照顾者身上所学到的经验 与教学对他们的启发。最后支援组长为大家准备的生 动有趣的游戏，让每位照顾者彻底的暂时抛开烦恼，放松了身心。整个毕业典礼在大家的欢声笑语中结束。 CAL E-Newsletter Issue #2 / April – June 2014 Graduation of C2C Class at People’s Bible Church 31st May 2014 The People’s Bible Church at Lorong Ah Soo began its first C2C lesson on 1st March 2014. By the end of May, 20 caregivers completed the training. This is by far the biggest group. When asked how this training has benefitted them, one caregiver replied, “it has helped me better understand and empathise with those who are suffering from mental illness and that not all persons with mental illness are prone to violence. This C2C Programme also equips caregivers with practical skills in communicating with their loved ones. One important aspect that the C2C programme covered is that recovery is possible if treated early and managed properly with medication.” It is encouraging to know many caregivers found the C2C Education Programme extremely beneficial. Graduation of C2C Class – Hougang Care Centre 17th May 2014 Caregivers from the C2C class conducted in Hougang Care Centre graduated after 11 weekly sessions. The caregivers shared what they have learned from the course and how it had benefitted them. Many felt that the knowledge and shared experiences have helped them to be better caregivers. Empathy and communications stood out as the most important aspects of caregiving and what it means by a journey of recovery with our loved ones. Irene Sng Program Director of Employment Support Services (ESS) presented the role of ESS. Nelson Lo, caregiver leader and lead trainer of the course led two songs (Perhaps Love & He Ain't Heavy) with the caregivers and guests singing along as a motivation and affirmation to the difficult roles caregivers are playing. The session ended with a pot luck dinner prepared by the caregivers and a graduation cake to grace the occasion with love and appreciation. CAL Featured in Rapport Publication June 2014 Rapport is a publication by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). The current issue has a write up about C2C and how the programme has empowered caregivers with free training sessions and groomed potential caregiver leaders. The Caregivers Support Centre at IMH was also given an introduction on its function and how it helps to channel caregivers to the C2C programme. Read more >> CAL E-Newsletter Issue #2 / April – June 2014 On Recovery from Mental Illness: My Volunteering Stint at CAL Contributor: Lee Yin Yin A little more than a year ago, I was diagnosed with acute psychosis. After the initial drama and confusion, it was decided that I would take time off graduate school and rest at home for 6 months. There started my journey of recovery from mental illness. At first, it was difficult. Amongst the many worries that I had, one of them was the fear of losing touch with work. On my first visit to my psychiatrist at Institute of Mental Health, my case manager introduced my mother to a caregivers’ support group, Caregivers Alliance (CAL). My mother started attending the Caregivers-to-Caregivers (C2C) classes run by CAL. This training program teaches caregivers more about mental illnesses and also how to care for loved ones with mental illnesses. More than just knowledge and information, CAL’s C2C class provided caregivers with peer and professional support in the arduous task of taking care of loved ones struggling with mental illness. While attending the class, my mother heard that it would be useful to CAL to have someone improve a small portion about the brain and medication in the C2C course. Since I majored in Neuroscience and was looking for volunteer work in my free time, I started to help out at CAL as a volunteer two days a week. The staff at CAL is very helpful and inclusive. With their guidance and feedback, I helped improve parts of the teaching materials in the C2C courses and the PowerPoint slides. I also translated CAL’s existing English C2C brochure to Mandarin (with my mother’s help) and designed some event flyers. As CAL had some video resources in English that were not available for the mandarin C2C course, we also subtitled the resources in English and Chinese to make it useful for the mandarin course as well. It was fruitful and enjoyable to help out at CAL. Volunteering at CAL helped rebuild my selfconfidence. Work defines a person. Before, I worried about being unable to go back to work to be a productive member of society. Helping out at CAL encouraged that aspect of my recovery. I learnt that I could still be productive and working along side other people. More than that, getting involved at CAL helped me gain precious insights and perspective on mental illness. It made me realized how fortunate I have been in the whole incident, that I should be really grateful about my situation. Fast forward a year, I have been back in my university for 6 months. My boss and colleagues are very supportive and encouraging. I plan to graduate next April and relocate back to Singapore for good. I still keep in contact with CAL and assist in ways that I can. Public Talk ‘Management of Symptoms and Side Effects of Medication for Mental Illness’. Dr Ang Yong Guan gave a bilingual talk on ‘Management of Symptoms and Side Effects of Medication for Mental Illness’ on 10th May at City Square Mall. It received overwhelming response of 130 participants. Many caregivers had so many questions on this topic that they looked forward to a follow up session. You can view a <short video here> or <download presentation slides here> CAL E-Newsletter Issue #2 / April – June 2014 Synergizing Mental Health Initiatives 6th June 2014 This is an event organised by NCSS, HPB, AIC and IMH, attended by partners and initiatives from various mental health agencies. CAL was invited to own one of the breakout sessions. Dr Sally Thio introduced and presented the background and services of CAL to the audience. Caregiver Leaders, Rita Haque and Albert Ng also shared their personal experiences and how C2C trainings have benefitted them as caregivers. Dr Sally Thio presenting services of CAL to the audience Left: Albert Ng Right: Rita Haque Up Coming Event >> A/ Prof Daniel Fung Chairman, Medical Board, IMH Keynote Presentation: Role of Institute of Mental Health Guest-of-Honour Mdm Halimah Yacob Speaker for Parliament of Singapore Advisor to NCSS Ms Diane Brewer M.S. in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Keynote Presentation: Role of Caregivers Keynote Presentation: Role of Policy Makers Address for this conference: 111 Somerset, #04-01, TripleOne Somerset, Singapore 238164 (Payment of S$20 per person) >> View full programme >> Register online Please contact [email protected] for reservations Find us on FaceBook | Twitter (#CAL) | Wordpress CAL E-Newsletter Issue #2 / April – June 2014
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