Calm Conversations

In our final episode of this season, Sabrina (Co-founder & CEO, Calm Collective) shares how she went from surviving to thriving with her bipolar II disorder. As Sabrina looks back on her mental health journey with Alyssa, she details her lowest point and what recovery looks like for her today. Trigger Warning: mention of suicidal thoughts and a suicide attempt Read Sabrina's original blog post here: https://www.sabrinaooi.com/blog/2019/10/9/how-i-went-from-leaving-to-living Follow us on Instagram @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia

Mental health conditions exist on a spectrum, and some people with a diagnosis are able to function well without medication. However, there should be no shame in requiring it. For those that need medication management as part of their mental health recovery, there are many misconceptions that continue to persist today. Join us on this episode as we demystify with Nicolette Yeo (Writer and Host, Calm Collective Asia) and Dr Ken Ung, one of Singapore's leading psychiatrists practising at Adam Road Medical, on what it is like to be treated with medication as a mental health treatment, how he works with patients to manage side effects, and what the process of finding the right medication mix is like. Follow us on Instagram @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website at www.calmcollective.asia Subscribe to our Telegram Channel Read more from Nicolette How to talk about mental health at work without just virtue signalling How to approach a loved one whose mental health might be in a downward spiral

Often, when someone goes through a traumatic incident, the trauma stays with them, even though the danger is gone. The deep pain and unforgettable moments that linger can have adverse effects on that individual. While it's impossible to undo what's in the past, know that it's possible to heal. In episode 10 of Calm Conversations, Anna Williams (mental wellbeing advocate and mindfulness devotee) bravely shares with us her story of overcoming trauma, life challenges and finding mindfulness, healing and self-love. T/W: This podcast has references to (but no explicit details about) sexual abuse, incest and suicide Follow us on Instagram @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia Subscribe to our Telegram Channel Resources/Books mentioned: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis Outgrowing the Pain: A book for and About Adults Abused as Children by Eliana Gil

When was the last time you openly had a conversation about sex with your Asian parents? Yeah, we can't remember either. In many Asian societies, talking about sex is an uncomfortable topic. That feeling is reinforced when growing up, we witness the discomfort of our Asian parents around this topic. However, when conversations around consent and sexuality don't happen during our formative years, feelings of shame around sex can affect our mental health well into adulthood. In episode 9 of Calm Conversations, we speak with Joo Hymn Tan (Project Director for the Birds and Bees Programme, AWARE) about how feelings of shame around sex can impact our relationships, and how parents can break the cycle of shame by learning how to address the topics of sex and consent to their young children. Resources Birds and Bees: A workshop for parents by AWARE Follow us on Instagram @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Men are not excluded from the wrath of insecurity, and more often than not, they find it difficult to voice them out. In episode 8 of Calm Conversations, Egan speaks to Sabrina and Sean Low (Ordinary Folk) about various male insecurities, from sexual dysfunction to hair loss, and how not talking about these things affect men's mental health. Follow us on Instagram @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Women who have experienced a miscarriage describe a range of emotions. Not only do they experience a sense of sadness and grief related to the loss of their miscarried child, but they may also grieve the chance to become a mother or to grow their family. However, often nobody knows about a miscarriage because there's no funeral to mark it, leading to women feeling alone in their loss. In episode 7 of Calm Conversations, Alyssa speaks with Dr Mary Sawdon a naturopathic doctor and fertility coach about her journey dealing with infertility and the grief of her multiple miscarriages. Follow us on Instagram @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia Subscribe to our Telegram Channel Links to resources mentioned by Mary: Books Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod: https://miraclemorning.com Outer Order Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin: https://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Affirmation cards Love Powered Co: https://www.lovepoweredco.com Guided Meditation Expectful: https://expectful.com Simple Habit: https://www.simplehabit.com Connect with Mary Instagram: www.instagram.com/fertilityfundamentals Website: www.fertilityfundamentals.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fertilityfundamentals/

Every relationship requires effort and may face bumps along the road. But how do we know if our problems are just a normal phase or a sign of a toxic relationship? Join us for this episode with Alyssa and Jolene Hwee (Clarity Counselling & Consulting) as they discuss red flags and explore how various attachment styles and injuries can affect relationships. Follow us on Instagram @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

We all have our emotional ups and downs. But for bipolar disorder, the mood changes between manic and depressive episodes are so intense that they could interfere with one's daily life. Join us for this episode where Sabrina looks back on her mental health journey with bipolar disorder and speaks with Dr Pearlene Ng about recovery, medication, treatment and whether or not one can live a normal life with bipolar disorder. Follow us on Instagram @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Getting to live all over the world sounds amazing right? As parents bring their families to different countries to experience new surroundings due to their work, their children are often left to wonder... where is home? Where do I really belong? Join Alyssa and Josh Tan in this conversation as they discuss their experience as third culture kids in navigating their mental health, dealing with grief, searching for a sense of belonging all while growing up in several different countries. Follow us on Instagram @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia Subscribe to our Telegram Channel TCK Resources: Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere: Insights Into Counselling the Globally Mobile by Lois J. Bushong Third Culture Kids: A Gift to Care For by Ulrika Ernvik Third Culture Kids 3rd Edition: Growing Up Among Worlds by Ruth E. Van Reken, Michael V. Pollock, David C. Pollock Boarding School Resources: Boarding School Syndrome: The Psychological Trauma of the 'Privileged' Child' by Joy SchaverienTrauma, Abandonment and Privilege: A Guide to Therapeutic Work with Boarding School Survivors by Nick Duffell and Thurstine Basset

In this episode, Alyssa and Joan (CEO, ThoughtFull) discuss their experiences of being caregivers to their loved ones who battle mental health conditions. As they discuss the challenges caregivers face, such as having to carry heavy secrets, we learn more about the importance of caregiver education and how it could help not only their loved ones but themselves as well. Follow us on @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia Resources: Caregiver Alliance Support TOUCH Caregiver Support Caregiving Welfare Association AWWA Centre For Caregivers Agency for Integrated Care (Caregivers Training Grant)

Everybody feels some form of anxiety in their lives, but when should you seek help for it? Who should you seek help from? What's causing it? We tackle these questions and more with Nisha Jhangiani, Founder of Mind Wellness, who specialises in professional counselling and cognitive hypnotic psychotherapy. Follow us on Instagram: @calmcollectiveasia Visit our website: www.calmcollective.asia Some resources: Mindfully-You: A Mental Well-being Retreat Box Breathing Video Breathing for relaxation & sleep Information and Tips to Manage Anxiety Regulating Anxiety & Stress in the Body

In our first episode, Alyssa (co-founder, Calm Collective), who lost her husband, Tyler, to suicide in 2017, shares how she navigates her grief, how others helped her cope with loss, and advice for others who are grieving. Trigger warning: suicide. Losing a loved one to suicide can traumatic and overwhelming, but you don't have to cope alone. Here are some useful resources: Contact Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221 4444 or email pat@sos.org.sg to enquire about Healing Bridge, a support group for suicide survivors Wicare - Support for widows: https://www.wicare.org.sg Resources on grief: https://whatsyourgrief.com

Calm Collective Asia has launched a mental health podcast! That means you can listen to our talks during your commute, while you're cleaning the house, or on your morning walk. We can't wait to share with you all the stories, lessons, and advice around mental health we've learned from our conversations. Episode 1 is coming soon on 6th June 2021! To stay updated on future episodes, follow Calm Collective Asia - IG: www.instagram.com/calmcollectiveasia FB: https://www.facebook.com/calmcollectiveasia Telegram: https://t.me/calmcollectiveasia www.calmcollective.asia