After overcoming her own struggles, Ms Angie Chew channelled her efforts towards helping others by setting up centres that provide emotional and mental support.
For her contributions to society in helping those with mental health issues, as well as the elderly, Ms Chew was named The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2019 on 11 February 2020 at the Istana.
She said receiving the award was “a real win for mental health”, as it is an area that is underinvested.
Ms Chew started Brahm Centre in 2012 to provide free health education, as well as other services such as befriending, counselling and dementia screening for seniors who are frail and lonely. There are now three centres, with a fourth to open later this year.
Last year, Brahm Centre launched a hotline to offer support to students and parents in distress, in response to increased rates of depression and suicide among young people.
Ms Chew said her own struggles in life gave her the strength to help others. She cared for her mother with dementia, endured years of emotional bullying at work and grappled with depression.
She turned to mindfulness in a bid to refocus her life, and realised there was a gap in support for those struggling mentally.
That was when she decided to “light a candle” for others who were going through similar dark times.
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Source: The Straits Times, 12 February 2020