Mental Health in Singapore: A Conversation with Mahita Vas

The prevalence of mental disorders in Singapore has risen in recent years. The struggle is real for both patients and their caregivers. During this talk, Mahita will present an overview of mental health in Singapore, including our concerns and attitudes to mental disorders. As suicidal ideation is closely linked with some mental health conditions, and is a topic which is not discussed enough, Mahita will share some insights, especially the role of blame. A larger part of this talk will be set aside for Q&A, to allow a more candid and informal approach to discussing a difficult topic.

Mahita became a mental health advocate after the success of her first book, Praying to the Goddess of Mercy: A Memoir of Mood Swings. She has since written three more books, all of which were published in Singapore. Mahita also volunteers regularly with Transient Workers Count Too, a migrant worker welfare charity. When she is not writing, she spends most of her days immersed in novels. Mahita is married and has twin daughters in their early thirties.