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Jeanette Aw, Michelle Chong, Stefanie Sun & Celebs On Mental Health

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Great Women

Jeanette Aw, Michelle Chong, Stefanie Sun & Celebs On Mental Health

Here are a few local celebrities who have bravely talked about and overcame their struggles with mental health

September 10, 2020
Jeanette Ow_Michelle Chong_Stefanie Sun_Celebs_Mental_Health

Mental health issues can happen to anyone at any time and do not discriminate with regard to social standing. Which is why we’re commending these local celebrities, including Jeanette Aw, Michelle Chong, Stefanie Sun, Irene Ang, Narelle Kheng and more, for opening up about their mental health struggles and destigmatising them. The more we start talking about mental health, the more awareness it’ll raise, and hopefully, that’ll spur more people to get help when they need to.

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https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/great-women/jeanette-aw-michelle-chong-stefanie-sun-celebs-mental-health/
Jeanette Aw, Michelle Chong, Stefanie Sun & Celebs On Mental Health
Jeanette Aw
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Jeanette’s portrayal of an actress who falls into depression after a series of setbacks and mishaps in the 2015 drama series The Dream Makers II cuts so deep to the core of human emotion that it is kind of unsurprising that she’s had her fair share of mental turmoil to get into character.

In an Instagram post in 2015, the local actress opened up about her experience with depression: “It was a long and arduous journey taking on #ZhaoFeiEr again in #zzsf2 . So many underlying currents that can’t be spoken. It was a very lonely journey that few will understand. At the end of the day, what broke me down made me stronger but I can only say this because I recovered from it. I learnt so much about Depression and even experienced it myself, as much as I was aware of the changes going on within and trying so hard to keep my emotions in check. Even the strongest person buckle at times and most times the simplest act of concern from someone can be the pillar of support and strength during the most vulnerable moments. Depression does not hit only the weak but this is the misconception many people have and they belittle the sadness and label depressed individuals as weaklings.”

In that same post, the actress also stressed the importance of being supportive of those who might be going through a tough time. ”I hope for things to change. If you call yourself a good friend to someone, a family member, be sensitive to the loved ones in your life. Any moment, they could be silently reaching out to you for support, patience and understanding,” she wrote.

View this post on Instagram

☀️

A post shared by Jeanette Aw 欧萱 (@jeanetteaw) on Jun 30, 2020 at 9:55pm PDT

Stefanie Sun
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Fame is highly sought, but the public eye can take a toll on your mental health, as the local songstress has attested. Stefanie revealed in an interview that: “There was a period when I was working non-stop and getting increasingly depressed.

One night I couldn’t sleep a wink and I felt a sudden urge to leave everything and escape to Hong Kong.” In that same interview, she revealed that she battled with such emotions for a year and finally got over it when she thought about the people she worked with and realised that they work just as hard, but don’t get to enjoy the kind of perks she does. “So what makes me think I was so special, that I was “suffering” more than them? Everything comes with a price, even stardom, so I knew I had to deal with the responsibilities of being a singer,” she said.

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x. 谢谢广州!

A post shared by Sun Yanzi 孙燕姿 (@stefsunyanzi) on Dec 15, 2019 at 8:28pm PST

Michelle Chong
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Local entertainer Michelle Chong has been dealing with depression from a young age and was diagnosed with clinical depression at the tender age of 17. Behind her chirpy and happy-go-lucky demeanour, we are used to seeing on screen lies a long battle with depression.

Luckily, things did get better for Michelle, both professionally and in terms of mental health. She filled the void she felt by and stopped herself from going into that downwards spiral by going behind the camera to get that creative outlet she desired. In 2011, Michelle established her own film company, Huat Films, and produced her first film “Already Famous” as director, screenwriter and actress. On top of that, Michelle also founded Left Profile, an artiste management agency and produces content on her eponymous YouTube channel.

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Nothing much. Just want to wish everyone who’s feeling pretty shxt now a happy day tomorrow because I’m feeling pretty shxt now. ????? #明天会更好

A post shared by Michelle Chong 庄米雪 (@immichellechong) on Aug 10, 2020 at 5:20am PDT

Irene Ang
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In an interview with The New Paper, local entertainer Irene Ang, who is also the CEO of Fly Entertainment revealed that she attempted suicide thrice in the past. On her last attempt, she had a revelation. If she had the courage to kill herself, why not have the courage to live on to fight another day? After that, she never gave up even when facing difficult times and eventually landed the iconic role of Rosie Phua in local sitcom Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd. Her word of advice to those who find it difficult to cope? “Focus on solving problems one at a time instead of lumping them together. When you focus on the positive stuff, things start happening for you again.”

She also shared in another interview with The Straits Times that finding her passion has helped her to be “less unhappy”.  She said, “I am passionate about what I am doing and having found God and a sense of who I am, [which helped] to alleviate that sense of need and sadness in my life.”

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Getting ready for 2nd MY WEBINAR 830PM #IAmNotYourAverageSALESWOMAN THANK You to all joining tonight ! #irenespired

A post shared by IRENE ANG (@flyirene) on Apr 23, 2020 at 5:24am PDT

Quan Yi Fong
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According to figures from Singhealth, about 10 to 15 per cent of women who give birth develop postpartum depression, a serious, long-lasting condition that’s more than just baby blues. It can happen to anyone. Exhaustion, sleep deprivation and other stressors take a toll on many women.

Yi Fong suffered from post-natal depression after the birth of her daughter, Eleanor, in 1999 and has received treatment for clinical depression, sleep problems and anxiety since 2007. The quick-witted actress was able to get back on her feet with the support from those around her, including her fans. In an interview with the local media, she shared that: “ When my depression was at its worst, they would wait for me outside the office with 12 Ferrero Rocher chocolates every single day, telling me to eat them and put some meat on my bones. I was really skinny back then, and they’d be there even on days when I wasn’t around. After that, they’d bring liang teh (cooling tea) for me when my voice sounded raspy after eating all that chocolate.”

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不知不觉中感觉自己真的老了, 就说了,不要跟你 @eleanorleex 同框咯 ??? #一个向太阳 #一个在夕阳 我还是继续努力做运动好了!?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️?

A post shared by Quan Yifong (@quanyifong) on Jun 9, 2020 at 9:22pm PDT

Yvonne Lim
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Going through heartbreak is a brutal experience, one that could understandably worsen symptoms of depression. On an episode of the talk show Celebritea Break hosted by Quan Yi Fong and Guo Liang, the actress revealed the hurt and depression she went through from a failed relationship.

Yvonne shared that her ex-boyfriend had proposed to her, but after he broke off their engagement, she sunk into a depression and even contemplated suicide. Thankfully, she gave up on that idea when she thought of her family. Today, Yvonne is in a happy place and is residing in Taipei with her husband and ex-Taiwanese boy band B.A.D member Alex Tien and their two kids.

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Because she is my little princess..?. So #happyAlexa turns 3 today! ? . This time we go #local where kids get to try their hands on carnival games..it's either kids are really lucky or we are too easy on them..anyway everyone goes home a happy child! ???? . 还好有新加坡餐厅,#小红点 的老板Xuguang 帮我们准备了这么多新加坡美食!能在台湾吃到海南鸡饭,炒粿条,福建面,沙嗲,Kueh Pie Tee到Popiah 感觉好幸福!??? . 为了满足朋友们的要求,自己也做了本地的咖喱角,Ondeh Ondeh. ? . #happyAlexa 3岁生日派对过得开心,我们也吃得开心!???☺️?? @alextien . #happymummy #myjoyandhappiness #mysunshine #frozen #frozen2 #frozen2cake #小香槟 #我家公主3岁啦 #新加坡美食 #是我自己闲不下来 #又开趴了 #2020的第一个周末 #firstpartyoftheyear

A post shared by ??Yvonne Lim✨✨ (@yvonnelim928) on Jan 5, 2020 at 6:43pm PST

Eelyn Kok
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The A Song to Remember star is an outspoken advocate for the destigmatisation of mental health issues. Recalling the dark time in her life, Eelyn revealed in an interview with local media that the trigger for her depression was the double whammy of her failed relationship with her first love and her mother’s battle with cervical cancer (which was at an advanced stage). Her mother died of the illness about a decade ago.

At her lowest ebb, she was so down, she locked herself in her room for six whole months. Fortunately, she managed to get herself out of that dark place. She found strength through religion, regular exercise, reading inspirational books and listening to “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child.

View this post on Instagram

Fun session at making my own ceramic clay cup and bowl. With Zane. This is our first try at it! It isn't as easy as you think. Takes some effort and high focus not to botch the job! But of cos, each botched job can be recycled and remolded as long as you have not put it into the kiln yet. Can you guess which are @zaneoninsta 's and which are mine? #clay #pottery #POTTERandHisClay #epiphany #zanezane #blessed

A post shared by Eelyn Kok 郭蕙雯 (@eelynkok) on Sep 20, 2019 at 4:38am PDT

Narelle Kheng
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Local musician Narelle Kheng shared in an interview with local media that she was in a toxic relationship for two years. Admitting that she and her then-boyfriend were still immature, they would engage in poor behaviour such as not allowing each other to hang out with friends. She would also ask him to spend time with her as a form of escapism so that she could avoid dealing with her own insecurities. Although it took a long time after the breakup for her to open up to others again, the experience has helped her to become wiser and she is in a happy and stable relationship now.

The singer also battles with depression, something that she has been experiencing since she was at Singapore Sports School training as a competitive swimmer. As part of her healing process, she accepted her condition such as learning to feel ok about lying in bed for two months, and started being kinder to herself instead of always speaking to herself in a harsh and critical tone. She also thinks that living with purpose is more important than chasing happiness, and believes that we can all make an impact just by being who we are.

If you think you may have the symptoms of mental illness or want to find out more, you can visit sites like Singhealth and the Institute of Mental Health. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or know someone who is thinking about suicide, you can contact the Samaritans of Singapore at 1800-221-4444 for help.

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Hi, how’s everyone holding up? ??

A post shared by ??????? (@narellekheng) on Apr 15, 2020 at 10:30pm PDT

Dawn Yeoh
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Life hasn’t always been a bed of roses for the athleisure guru and local actress, At one point,she even starved herself for two weeks because she felt insecure about her looks and her weight dropped by 4 kg. She eventually gave up on the idea because it got her too depressed.

But today, she said she has a healthier attitude. To stay fit, the actress, who is currently in the midst of filming the drama “Jalan Jalan”, makes it a point to maintain a consistent workout regime, exercising at least three times a week. She went on to discuss how she has come to accept herself: “I spent most of my time with family and friends. Their unconditional love influenced and reawakened the love within me and really inspired me to pay it forward. At the same time, I also read stories, quotes and articles and they really helped to motivate me.”

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Miss my cosmetics very much. Hope everyone’s safe and positive ?? #makeupmonday

A post shared by dawn yeoh 姚懿珊 (@iamdawnyeoh) on Jun 15, 2020 at 3:05am PDT

Julie Tan
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Working hard for a dream can be utterly exhausting, especially when you are in the public eye, and perhaps no one knows that better than Julie Tan. Today, she may be regarded as a rising star in the local entertainment scene with hordes of adoring fans, but things weren’t always so smooth sailing for the actress.

She was body-shamed online so badly while trying to break into the industry that she even contemplated going under the knife, according to an interview with The Straits Times. Julie revealed in that same interview that she: “had very bad anxiety attacks and during that period of time, I couldn’t cope with the stress and pressure. As much as I say it didn’t affect me, as a young woman, it really did. Whenever I looked in the mirror, I actually hated myself and would start slapping and hurting myself, wondering why am I so ugly and alive.” Fortunately, Julie is now at a place where she has finally accepted herself, in order to lead by example for her fans.

Text: Letty Seah/Her World

Read Next

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Where To Go For Free & Affordable Mental Healthcare In Singapore

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View this post on Instagram

Yellow is my happy colour ?

A post shared by Julie Tan 陈欣淇 (@julietan_cxq) on Jul 23, 2020 at 3:47am PDT

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