Showing posts with label Support Group for Bipolar Disorder in Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Support Group for Bipolar Disorder in Singapore. Show all posts

Friday, March 14, 2008

Support Groups in Singapore

I just found out that in Singapore we do have Support Groups though not specifically for Bipolar Disorder. Usually the Support Groups cater to a variety of mood disorders which involves depression. These mood disorders can be major depression, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), anxiety disorders, Schizophrenia, etc etc.

The following 2 places provide Support Groups or Group Therapy for mood disorders:

1) Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH)

Peer Support Groups (PSG)

The Peer Support Groups (PSG) are self-help groups for people who are recovering or have recovered from mental health problems to get together as a group for information and sharing of experiences, to obtain social and emotional support and to learn from one another.

How is the PSG run?

SAMH runs two types of Recovery Support Groups:

  1. Sunshinepath - A Support Group for Depression (include Bipolar Disorder) and Anxiety
  2. Mental Health Interactive Group for Schizophrenia

    For Sunshinepath Support Group for Depression & Anxiety, members will meet on the first Monday of every month from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
  3. For Mental Health Interactive Group for Schizophrenia, members will meet fortnightly on the second and fourth Fridays of every month from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.

    (Both groups use English as the main language medium but translation by peer volunteers are provided for members who are Mandarin speaking)

    Who will conduct the PSG sessions?
    The Peer Support Groups are run by trained volunteers who are recovered sufferers with a mental health counsellor or social worker as the moderator.

    Where will the PSG be run?
    The Peer Support Groups are held at
    Central Singapore Club 3R
    Blk 69 Toa Payoh Lorong 4
    #01-365 Singapore 310069

    Who can join?
    Persons who have suffered from:

    • Schizophrenia
    • Depression
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Anxiety Disorders
    and are currently in stable condition and have accepted the illness.

    Are There Any Requirements from PSG members?
    As the PSG is a support group for people going through the challenges of mental health problems, we strive to make the support group a safe and therapeutic avenue for members to be able to relate their experiences. Therefore all members are expected to maintain confidentiality at all times.

    Are there any fees involved?
    You only need to pay a one time registration fee of $10 to join the group.

    How do I join the PSG?
    To register for PSG, please click here

    For more information on Peer Support Groups, please contact between Monday – Friday (except holidays)

    • Social Worker, Support Groups, Singapore Association for Mental Health Blk 69 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 #01-365, Singapore 310069
    • Fax No: 62526834
    • Email:supportsvcs@samhealth.org.sg

      For further enquiry, please call 1800 2837019 (09.00am-1.00pm, 2.00-6.00pm) or email to the above email address.


2) Institute of Mental Health (IMH) runs Group Therapy besides individual and family therapy.

Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
Buangkok Green Medical Park
10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747
Tel : 6389 2000
Fax : 6385 1050
Quality Service (Toll-Free): 1800-3864541
Emergency Help Line (24 Hours): (65) 6389-2222
Outpatient Appointment (65) 6389-2200
Email: imh_appt@imh.com.sg
Admission Enquiries: (65) 6389-2003/4
Billing Enquiries: (65) 6389-2016/7/8

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Support Group for Bipolar Disorder in Singapore

I just received an email from N in Singapore who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder last year. She mentioned that she is in dire need of a Support Group and other helps.

I checked out Institute of Mental Health (IMH)'s website but can't find any information on Support Group for Bipolar Disorder.

I did a quick search on Google and could not find any information there too on Support Group for Bipolar Disorder in Singapore. But I found a website in which 15 people in Singapore has indicated their desire for a Bipolar Disorder Meetup :

http://bipolar.meetup.com/cities/sg/singapore/

One of my blogging friends, Marja Bergen of "Roller Coaster" has shared about the mood disorder Support Group in her church called"Living Room".

After reading the email from N and reading about the other 14 people (N was one of them too) on their desire for a Bipolar Disorder Meetup, I can see that here seemed to be a dire need for such a Support Group in Singapore, whether it be a Christian Group or non-religious Group, depending on the faith of those needing it.

I am not very sure whether there is an existing Support Group for Bipolar Disorder in Singapore. I will try again to look and find out. Let me know if you are aware of such a group.

If you are in Singapore, and you or your loved ones/family/friends are suffering from bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), and you are keen to attend a Bipolar Disorder Meetup or Support Group, please leave me a note in my comments to share with me your thoughts or desire. Or you can email me at mylifewithbp@mail.com. I will love to hear from you.

Share with me your thoughts, if any. Thanks!

(Note: I just found out that in Singapore there are Support Groups available for various mood disorders which involves depression. These mood disorders can be major depression, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), anxiety disorders, Schizophrenia, etc etc.)

If you wish to read up more on resources for Depression and Bipolar Disorder, check out my resources blog at "Resources for Depression and Bipolar Disorder".

Some of the other contacts in Singapore for mental health helps are:

In Singapore

If you are in Singapore, and you are suffering from Depression, Bipolar Disorder, or some form of similar mental disorders, or you know of someone suffering thus, and need medical and counselling help, do consider contacting the following to see if they can be of help, besides praying and supporting your friend or loved ones.

If you or someone is suicidal, please know that this is an emergency situation and there is hope and help. Please call 999 or see other emergency contact numbers below under number 4).

1) For Medical Help - For diagnosis and medical help

i) Private Psychiatrist

Dr Pauline Sim
Consultant Psychiatrist
L P Clinic Pte Ltd
Provides psychological services for adults and children
Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
3 Mount Elizabeth Suite #05-01
Singapore 228510
Tel: (65) 6735-4526
Fax: (65) 6735-4527

Consultation Hours:
Mon - Fri : 8.30am - 5.30pm
Sat: 8.30am - 1.30pm
Sun & PH : Closed
After Off Hrs: (65) 6535-8833

ii) Hospital

- Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)
- National University Hospital (NUH)
- Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
- Changi General Hospital (CGH)
- Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH)

2) For Counselling Helps

i) Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH)

Tel: 1800-2837019 (Mon to Fri: 9.00am to 1pm, 2pm to 6pm)

ii) Institute of Mental Health (IMH)

Tel: (65) 6389-2222 or 6389-2000

iii) Counselling & Care Centre

Block 536 Upper Cross Street
#05-241 Hong Lim Complex
Singapore 050536
Tel: (65) 6536-6366
Fax: (65) 6536-6356
Email : info@counsel.org.sg
Webwsite : www.counsel.org.sg

iv) Association of Christian Counsellors of Singapore
c/o 422-A Telok Blangah Road
Singapore 098848 (Near Grace Methodist Church)
Tel: 6274-7480 Fax: 62760024
Email: info@accs.org.sg
Website: http://www.accs.org.sg/

v) For counselling help for children and young adults up to the age of 36:

Clinical Psychologist
The Stepping-Stones Practice
112 East Coast Road #04-17
Katong Mall
Singapore 428802
Tel: (65) 6348-4002
Website: www.thesteppingstonespractice.com

3) 24 Hours Hotline - Samaritans of Singapore
Call: 1800-221-4444 (24-hr hotline)
Email: pat@samaritans.org.sg.

4) In time of emergency, especially when there is suicidal thoughts or tendency, please do the following without delay as the sufferers life may be in danger:

a) Police
Call: 999

b) Ambulance
Call: 999 / 911 / 995

c) Institute of Mental Health
Buangkok Green Medical Park
10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747
Tel : 6389 2000
Fax : 6385 1050

General Enquiries General Enquiries enquiry@imh.com.sg
Quality Service (Toll-Free): 1800-3864541
Emergency Help Line (24 Hours): (65) 6389-2222
Outpatient Appointment (65) 6389-2200
Email: imh_appt@imh.com.sg
Admission Enquiries: (65) 6389-2003/4
Billing Enquiries: (65) 6389-2016/7/8

Behavioural Medicine Clinic
Alexandra
(8am - 12.30pm, Mon)
(8am – 4.30pm, Tue – Fri)
Tel: (65) 6474-4872 Fax: (65) 64756475

Health Promotion Board Building
(8am – 5pm, Mon – Fri) Tel: (65) 6534-5366 Fax: (65) 6534-3677

Geylang Polyclinic
(8am - 4.30pm, Tue - Fri) Tel: (65) 6746-5171 Tel: (65) 68484579

Child Guidance Clinic

IMH Clinic B
(8am – 5.30pm, Mon – Thu)
(8am - 5pm, Fri)
Tel: (65) 6389-2200 Fax: (65) 6385-1075

Health Promotion Board Building
(8am – 5pm, Mon – Fri) 64353878
Tel: (65) 64353879 Fax: (65) 6534-3677

Sayang Wellness Clinic
IMH Sayang Wellness Clinic
(8am – 5.30pm, Mon – Thu)
(8am - 5pm, Fri)
Tel: (65) 6389-2200 Fax: (65) 6385-1075


Hope the above helps! Remember that there is help and hope. You are not alone. Call someone.