I refer to The Straits Times article 'Tearing down barriers', 30 August 2013.

I thank CEO Chua Hoon Choon for stepping out in faith in IMH.

I would still continue to let the public know what is behind the walls of IMH still. Because the C Class wards of IMH have no beds with fences, pictures on walls, plugs above beds nor curtains as I first see in the news photo. I forgive IMH's past, but remembers it and change the future by making the walls transparent.

Mental illness is not incurable and even if sane persons are "housed" in a "safe" place to receive "humane" care, they are very sure to turn insane.

I was dumped in IMH because my parents couldn't handle me. But I received the butt of bullying by nurses, forced injections by doctors and sometimes the case manager would ignore me. I was admitted when I wasn't supposed to.
And once I got in, I could never get out. Until 6 months later. None of my family members visited me unless after months. Therefore, I understand fully why the patient jumped to his death upon reaching home because it is often what happens inside IMH people do not know that have caused heavy oppression and stigma on them.
Don't keep people in IMH in it's state because they are better off without the depression, especially the loss of social contact.

I would like to encourage pastors and leaders of our community to reach out to these people and be with them in love and healing. Sometimes their struggles can be mostly a battle of the mind. People will live without walls when they change their minds towards love.

This is the new era. We are the new generation, therefore medicine is not everything, injections does not salvage people, doctors are not healers, staying in hospital does not mean you will be well. But pastoral care is the new way of life.

Now, 'mentally ill' is the new fash.

- Miss G


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