CAL in the Media

In this feature, three caregivers — Imran Wee, Daniel Lim and Mason Chia — offer insights into their caregiving journeys. At the prime of their lives, they embrace their roles as a pivotal point of support for their family and friends with mental health issues. This means that they have had to set aside personal aspirations, and it can be a lonely road. As Daniel says, “When people are unwell, they visit a clinic to get medicine. However, you can’t ask a doctor to prescribe a friend who understands.”
 
Joining CAL’s Caregivers-to-Caregivers (C2C) Training Programme has empowered them to better care for themselves and their loved ones. Besides picking up knowledge, they also found solace in knowing they are not alone and exchanging stories with fellow caregivers. The caregivers emphasised that regular check-ins and offering a helping hand can go a long way in lightening the heavy load carried by these unsung heroes.

In a study conducted by Milieu Insight for CAL last year, it was found that 51 per cent of primary caregivers reported feeling stressed "often or all the time". Nearly two-thirds of caregivers surveyed also expressed not having enough support for their caregiving responsibilities.

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CAL's Head of Engagement & Empowerment Karen Poh, along with caregiver Imran Wee, provided insight into these challenges, which can be physical, emotional and financial. Additionally, they offered practical tips that caregivers can apply to improve the balance between their caregiving duties and personal well-being. Imran also spoke of the impact CAL had on his life, expressing that he found comfort and inspiration by connecting with fellow caregivers on a similar path: "I felt like I had been wandering alone for so many years and had finally found my tribe."

Caregiving is often seen as a role assumed by middle-aged females: daughters tending to aging parents, wives supporting their spouses, or mothers caring for their children. However, there are many faces to caregiving, including those from the younger population. In this evocative photo essay by artist Alecia Neo, young caregivers Mason Chia, Tasneem Abdul Majeed, Sarah Pang (pseudonym), Iman Hakim and person-in-recovery Amy Kang offer a glimpse into the unique perspectives and challenges of their journeys.
 
Sarah and Mason are volunteer trainers who help to co-facilitate CAL's Young Caregivers Programme.

"Live Free" is a compelling 4-part documentary showcasing the inspiring journeys of five Singaporeans determined to embrace life to the fullest.

Among them is Warren Sheldon Humphries, CAL volunteer and caregiver to a loved one with depression. He also faces the challenges of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a condition that causes progressive nerve damage. His personal experiences have driven him to engage in volunteer work, serving as a trainer with CAL and an iChamp with SG Enable.

He has also been supporting his friend, Riley, who is also featured in the series. Riley's journey has been a painful one, and her progress held back due to a possible misdiagnosis. Despite these struggles, she has taken on the role of secondary caregiver, supporting her brother who cares for their mother with dementia.

在伴随亲人走向康复的过程中，照顾者为了能全心投入照料，往往忽略自己的身心健康，更有些因为离职而面临经济困境。CAL 中区主管庄月清和照顾者赖丝莲和早报分享她们的亲身经历，希望能鼓励更多照顾者勇于寻求帮助和支持。

As they dedicate themselves to walking with their loved ones towards recovery, caregivers often overlook that they need care as well. Some may even choose to leave their full-time jobs to be constantly present for their loved ones, but this decision can lead to financial challenges.

In this special feature, CAL Central Cluster Head Evelyn Chng and C2C Dementia graduate Ser Lian came forward to share their personal experiences and perspectives. Through their heartfelt sharing, they aim to encourage more caregivers to bravely seek the support and help that they need.

Amy Kang is a person-in-recovery who graduated from CAL's C2C-PMHI programme back in 2019. Since her teenage years, she has been battling schizophrenia, and is now using her experience to empower other individuals going through the same journey. She shared some of her challenges and milestones with CNA, noting that C2C has helped her discover hope, and to be better for her loved ones.

新加坡国立大学医学组织 (NUHS) 于 5 月 27 日在裕廊医疗中心举办保健嘉年华，正式开启 “一起健康” 计划 (Health Together)。“一起健康” 计划为西部居民而设，他们将能通过一站式网站与应用程序方便获取资源和服务。

嘉年华召集各个医疗与社会服务机构，包括照顾者联盟 (CAL)。活动反应热烈，吸引超过 500 名公众积极参与。

On 27 May, the National University Health System (NUHS) organised a wellness carnival to launch “Health Together”, a new community health initiative for residents living in the west. Through the “Health Together” one-stop website and mobile application, residents will have a comprehensive pool of resources and support to meet their needs.

Several medical and community service organisations, including Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL), participated in the event. Held at Jurong Medical Centre, the carnival received an overwhelming response, with over 500 residents in attendance. 

In a candid interview, “Ivy” (pseudonym) shared her family’s journey with her daughter’s diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Through attending CAL’s 12-week C2C-ED programme, she also learnt about the importance of having empathy and developing self-care as a caregiver.

The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) launched a campaign for caregivers on 20 May 2023. Titled “We See You Care”, the campaign aims to acknowledge the significant role of caregivers for their loved ones and the community at large. According to a survey conducted by AIC in 2021, only 49 per cent out of 900 respondents identified themselves as caregivers. This suggests that many caregivers may perceive caregiving as a duty and not actively prioritise self-care or seek respite.

Warren Sheldon Humphries, a C2C-PMHI graduate and volunteer with CAL, shared his personal experience with The Straits Times. He expressed some of the concerns caregivers face, including the constant emotional and mental toll they have to carry, and going through burnout.

"Kanvas Harapan" is an inspiring series that follows the transformative journeys of 8 ex-inmates. In this episode, C2C Dementia graduate Imran Nizamullah Wee shared how he transitioned from a life of affluence and imprisonment to one of purpose. Besides dedicating himself to caring for his mother with dementia, he also found a mission in helping fellow ex-inmates reintegrate into society through volunteering at the Reforming Support Group.

Former NMP Anthea Ong, a strong advocate in the mental health space, emphasised the need for affordable and easy access to quality care and treatment. This points to the need for a whole-of-society effort involving awareness education, links to support resources and funding. She suggested that tapping on government-funded community health agencies such as Samaritans of Singapore, Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL) and Shan You Counselling will help ease the mental health support load as well.

On 30 January, the Ministry of Health rolled out the 2023 Action Plan for Successful Ageing. Sociology and gerontology experts agreed on the benefits of the refreshed Plan, especially for the younger generation who are or will become caregivers for their ageing parents. 

Some goals of the Plan include offering more financial assistance for caregivers, boosting the capabilities and capacity of caregivers, as well as stepping up early detection and prevention of dementia. Tricia Lee, Head of Communications at CAL, noted that the changes and enhanced support for caregivers would be beneficial. CAL also encourages secondary caregivers, including family members, to share the caregiving burden with the primary caregiver to prevent burnout.