AsiaOne: Slip sliding into depression

BY DHANY OSMAN

..'With the economic downturn, it's important to help people keep things in perspective and not catastrophise,' he said.

That is what Ms Tan (not her real name), a communications executive, 50, has been doing.

She lost $50,000 in investments in DBS High Notes 5.
She said she kept the news from her husband for fear of starting a fight and lost a lot of sleep wondering how she would pay for her younger child's university education.

Ms Tan said she felt worse when she realised that she might either have to borrow money or delay retirement to make up for the loss.

Being in control of the family finances made it easier for her to keep her worries to herself although she felt the stress each time her husband talked about money.
It left her feeling mentally weary and constantly distracted. However, with support from relatives who lent a listening ear and by making a concerted effort to think positive, she has since recovered her spirits.

'I certainly was upset at first. But after a point, I felt it was time to move on and not dwell on the loss,' she said.

http://health.asiaone.com/Health/Wellness%2B%2540%2BWork/Story/A1Story20081212-107323.html

A crooked product or a crooked system?

Read this blog:
http://victorkoo.blogspot.com/2008/12/crooked-product-or-crooked-system.html

A tongue-in-cheek poem:
http://victorkoo.blogspot.com/2008/10/effects-of-current-financial-turmoil-2.html

Helplines - for managing mental stress

Samaritans of Singapore (SOS. 24 hrs) 1800-221-4444
Singapore Association for Mental Health Helpline 1800-283-7019
Care Corner 800 Hotline (in Mandarin, 10am-10pm daily) 1800-353-5800
Touchline Mon-Sat (10am-10pm)(for 13 to 25 year olds) 1800-377-2252
BABES (For teenage girls facing pregnancy crisis) 1800-833-6666
Pregnancy Crisis Service Mon-Fri (9am-5pm), Sat (9am-1pm) 6339-9770
Association of Women for Action and Research Helpline (AWARE) Mon-Fri (4pm-10pm) 1800-774-5935
National Family Service Centre (FSC) Helpline 1800-2255-372
SENIORS helpline (for older persons and their care-givers) 1800-555-5555
TOUCH Caregivers Centre 1800-352-1622
SAGE helpline Mon-Fri (9am-5pm), Sat (9am-1pm) 1800-3538633
Alcoholics Anonymous 6475-0890
Eating Disorders Helpline - Tel: 6345-3435 (10:00am - 4:00pm Phone Mail Mon-Fri
Source : http://www.giftoflistening.com/resources.html

Coping with rising health care cost in Singapore

Read this article:
http://www.tankinlian.com/articles/health.html

And the discussion in The Online Citizen
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/12/dont-save-face-go-to-c-class-wards-says-tan-kin-lian/#comments

Mental depression and suicide

Dear Mr Tan KL,

I refer to the following comments in your post
http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2008/12/hk-mom-suiside-because-bank-refuse-to.html

Anonymous said...
I have thought of suicide as well. The way MAS and government have acted in not helping me, I feel really depressed. Each time I see the words UOB Kay Hian I have much resentment and depression that I have lost the family's life savings. If it goes on this way and I do not get back the money, I can't face the family and subject them to difficult life ahead. Worst, I have no regular job now. It only takes me some courage to kill the children and end my life with my wife. Never felt so miserable in my life. Now I understand what depressing life a 40+ has when there's no job and money but full of life stress.
If we end our life, I will make it clear we will return to haunt UOB Kay Hian and those responsible for minibond.

Anonymous said...
I can feel how you are feeling now, as I am also in the same situation. However,if you are gone now, the FIs won't feel bad. You must transform your anguish into energy to fight. Not only for yourself and your family, but against your enemy who had put you in this agony.

I'm concerned that these two victims are so depressed as they've been pushed to a dead end and may resort to some foolish act. If you have volunteers who are well trained in counselling pls help them to overcome this difficult period.

tkh

REPLY
For those who need conselling help, please refer to any of the organisations shown in the attached blog:
http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2008/12/helplines-for-managing-mental-stress.html