IWD 2024: Silver Ribbon's Porsche Poh on how she's improving access to mental health

What does inclusion mean? This International Women's Day, we feature incredible individuals leading social enterprises that are championing the underrepresented and underserved. Their mission? To shatter societal stigmas and create pathways to equal opportunities for all.

At a time when mental health was not even in our daily lexicon, Porsche Poh took a risk and set up Silver Ribbon with several co-workers in 2005. The organisation is built to address social stigmas and open up conversations about mental well-being.

In doing so, Porsche has also made strident moves in the conversation about mental health: Among her many contributions in this field, she played an instrumental role in decriminalising suicide, and supported the implementation of policies preventing potential employers from inquiring about the mental health of their employees. Her focus now is the emotional well- being of caregivers.

What drives your passion for mental health?

Mental health is very important, but people tend to neglect it. In Singapore, and Asia in general, not many people are comfortable talking about mental health, that’s why I felt the need to talk about it.

How has the conversation about mental health changed?

The pandemic and subsequent media coverage helped, but also the decriminalisation of suicide, which is something I worked on for a long time together with Corinna Lim (executive director of Association of Women for Action and Research).

Back then, parents would come to us at Silver Ribbon, and say, “My son is depressed, but no way am I going to admit him to the government hospital. He will get arrested, or have a record.”

So most of them would go to private [care], which is very expensive.

It took us 13 years [to change the policy], and some people even asked us: Are you encouraging suicide? It’s not about that; it’s that someone with depression has a tendency to commit suicide, and that’s stigma number one. Then, they get a police record, which is stigma number two. So the question is: How can we support them? How can we provide community support rather than prosecute them? Finally, in 2020, the government announced the decriminalisation of suicide.

What is Silver Ribbon working on now?

We’re celebrating our 18th anniversary this year, and we have a series of programmes dedicated to caregivers, in particular grandparents. They play a crucial role in providing support, often overlooked by society.

Many focus solely on the parents’ responsibilities, but grandparents are often the ones offering significant care. I frequently hear from grandparents seeking advice on handling challenging situations with their grandchildren.

It’s vital to recognise their role, and provide them with resources and support tailored to their needs. In doing so, we ensure that both caregivers and those they care for receive the assistance that they require.

What does Inspiring Inclusion mean to you?

There is no health without mental health. Consider this: You attend two talks – one on tips to become a millionaire, and another on tips for maintaining good mental well-being. Which is truly valuable? Many would argue that mental well-being is paramount, as it affects every aspect of our lives.

People often have to sacrifice their careers, education, and relationships due to mental health challenges. Therefore, it’s crucial to include mental health in discussions, and raise awareness to ensure that everyone understands its significance.

What advice would you give to women who are managing numerous responsibilities and might overlook their mental well-being?

It’s essential for women, who frequently handle multiple roles, to prioritise their mental health. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s vital for effectively supporting others. I often meet housewives who feel overwhelmed and neglected. I remind them that they must prioritise themselves to better care for their families and communities.

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