Club HEAL, a volunteer-based organization, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with a gala dinner. Almost 600 guests and supporters attended.

Dr. Radiah Salim, the founder and president of Club HEAL, stated that the organization strives to address as many service gaps as possible.

She shared that approximately 2,000 individuals have benefited from Club HEAL’s assistance. Her hope is to see more Club HEAL locations while expanding their outreach to those facing addiction challenges.

Zaqy Mohamad, a Member of Parliament and Club HEAL patron, emphasized the significant impact of the organization’s work, noting that mental health struggles are often not easily visible.

Singapore President Mdm Halimah Yacob, who has served as Chief Patron of Club HEAL since its establishment, highlighted that mental health conditions can affect anyone and are no different from physical ailments. She stressed the importance of support and encouragement, stating that medical interventions alone are insufficient, and individuals need supplementary services to lead fulfilling lives.

Mdm President Halimah Yacob addresses the audience during Club HEAL’s 5th anniversary gala dinner.

Mdm Halimah urged everyone to educate themselves about mental illness, observing that understanding mental health issues often leads to increased support for relevant programs. She concluded her speech by saying, “True generosity lies in giving of oneself.”

Yohanna Abdullah, a writer, editor, and peer support specialist, introduced Club HEAL’s fourth book, “A Place in the Sun,” along with its Malay translation, “Di Bawah Sinaran Mentari.” In her foreword, Mdm Halimah questioned whether Singaporean society has progressed enough to embrace and accommodate individuals with mental illnesses in various aspects of life, such as work and community involvement. She believes there is still much work to be done.

Yohanna’s book, “A Place in the Sun,” shares the personal stories of 17 people who have faced various life challenges, with some experiencing mental health issues triggered by work stress. The book is structured around the acronym “HEAL,” representing hope, empowerment, acceptance, and love, with each section reflecting these themes.

The event also marked the launch of a second book, “You Can Do Your Best,” by Heryani Jamaludin, a psychiatric nurse who recounts her experiences.

You can be your Best by Heryani Jamaludin (at podium) is another of the books launched at the Club HEAL event. During her launch speech Heryani urged people in difficulty to seek help as soon as possible. “Do not wait, seek treatment,” she said.

Stacks of You can be Your Best on sale at the event venue.

Explore:

Club HEAL’s new corporate video features sections in accordance with the acronym HEAL, or hope, empowerment, acceptance and love.

View videos from Club HEAL, including the corporate video that was premiered at the event. The new video profiles people whose lives have been touched by Club HEAL and discusses perspectives of mental health.

Hashtag: #clubheal