OUR BENEFICIARIES
"Mens sana in corpore sano", states the famous latin phrase from the poet Juvenal, and translates loosely as "a sound mind in a sound body".
The general public believes that the majority of the population could suffer from mental illness*. Yet there is still a stigma associated with this condition, and the overall support given to the institutions associated with mental illness lags behind their physical illness counterparts.
To this end, Run with your Heart in 2016 will be supporting five charitable organisations related to mental health and illness. All proceeds raised will be donated directly to these charities:
Alzheimer's Disease Association (ADA)
As the voice for people with dementia, as well as their loved ones, the Alzheimer's Disease Association (ADA) aims to create a more dementia-inclusive society in Singapore. Grounded in the core values of compassion, commitment and integrity, ADA believes in increasing the quality of care for the elderly with dementia, through a unique approach of continued research, education and training for dementia treatment. ADA strives to inspire other organisations to empower people with dementia treatment and their families to become respected members in an inclusive society.
Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL)
In Singapore, less than a third of those suffering from mental illnesses actually seek professional help. Instead, most opt to seek support from people closest to them - people who often end up being their primary caregivers. This is where Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL) comes in. CAL is the sole professional non-profit organisation in Singapore, which caters specifically to providing training and professional support for caregivers, in order to enable them to better serve and care for people with mental illnesses. Through education, outreach and advocacy, CAL hopes to improve the lives of caregivers and families of people with mental illnesses.
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
Often, those drowning in thoughts of suicide end up grappling to break the surface. It is not that they want to give up, but rather, they have no idea how to help themselves. To address this, Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) acts as sustainable help to them, tethered by its mission "To be an available lifeline to anyone in crisis". It focuses on preventing suicide by providing an email befriending service and a 24-hour hotline. With its comprehensive approach, SOS ensures than anyone contemplating suicide would receive holistic support and care for as long as they need.
Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
The Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) is an established mental health agency with nine centres which collectively provide a wide range of services for people with mental health conditions in Singapore. To promote acceptance and respect for those facing mental illnesses, SAMH's services are centered on rehabilitation and reintegration, thereby engaging and empowering them to have a greater role in the community. SAMH also advocates for mental health in society, with their vision of ensuring mental wellness for all.
WE CARE Community Services
By acting as a safe haven for individuals suffering from all forms of addiction, be it the internet, drugs or eating disorders, WE CARE Community Services is able to help them in their recovery. It provides these individuals with opportunities to undergo counselling with skilled professionals, as well as chances to interact with others facing similar addictions. In addition, WE CARE facilitates outreach programmes and community education to raise awareness among the community. As a leading help and care centre, WE CARE advocates acceptance of people with addictions and transforms their lives.
* (A B Borinstein, "Public attitudes toward persons with mental illness", Health Affairs, 11, no.3 (1992):186-196)
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