The current pandemic has placed many stressors on individuals, with the need to work and study from home. Businesses have also been largely affected, with many local companies having to close down due to loss of income. In these tough times, it is more important than ever before to take care of our own mental health and lend support to those who need it.
Back for the 3rd year in a row, Beyond the Label is an initiative by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) aiming to address the stigma mental health in our society. From 26th-27th September 2020, you’ll be able to take part in virtual activities that’ll enrich your knowledge of mental health, from chocolate making to virtual escape rooms.
Image credit: @benjaminkheng, @stefsunyanzi, @toshrock
There’s nothing like good music to lift your spirits if you’ve been feeling a little down. Hosted by Benjamin Kheng and Inch Chua, the concert will feature your favourite local artists such as Tosh Zhang, Stefanie Sun and Kit Chan – most of whom have been public about their own mental health struggles. 3AM Music Collective, an initiative started by a group of Singaporean musicians to spread awareness and remove stigma surrounding mental health, will also be featuring their artists. Many of them have lived experiences with mental health conditions – proof that beautiful work can be born out of difficulty and dark times.
Date: 27th September 2020
Time: 8PM
Image credit: @originalmaxi
Most of us know Maxi Lim from his role in “Ah Boys to Men’, but did you know that he used to train as a competitive MMA fighter? If you’re looking to get your heart pumping and the endorphins flowing, take part in the Tabata workout with Maxi Lim.
Date: 26th September 2020
Time: 9AM-9.30AM
Register online by 25th September 2020, 12PM.
A self-care pack will be delivered to participants.
Image credit: Oo La Lab
Pleasant smells not only bring your olfactory senses a sense of comfort, they’ve also been shown to improve one’s mood. Take part in the perfume making workshop conducted by Oo La Lab, a craft fragrance lab that allows you to create your own scents.
Date: 26th September 2020
Time: 9.45AM-10.45AM
Register online by 20th September 2020.
A self-care pack including workshop materials will be delivered to participants prior to the workshop.
Image credit: Red Balloon Therapy
Besides helping people to log their memories, journaling is a good way for people experiencing mental health distress to track their day-to-day symptoms and put their feelings into words. Take part in the creative journaling workshop conducted by Red Balloon Therapy and SAM to learn more about creative journaling.
Date: 26th September 2020
Time: 11AM-12PM
Register online by 20th September 2020.
An A5 journal and set of markers will be delivered to participants prior to the workshop, but participants are welcome to their own additional materials.
Image credit: Leela’s Fine Chocolates
We all know chocolates are absolute mood boosters, but they taste even better when you make them yourself. When you sign up for chocolate making therapy workshop with Leela’s Fine Chocolates, you’ll be able to make your own delectable treats with quality European couverture chocolate. Ingredients will be provided, so fret not about having to head on a grocery run.
To participate in this event, you’ll need a hob in your kitchen as well as a cooling area for the hands-on portion of the workshop. You’ll also be needing a pot, cling film and mixing bowl.
Date: 26th September 2020
Time: 3.15PM-5.15PM
Register online by 20th September 2020.
Ingredients and samples needed for the workshop will be delivered prior to the workshop.
Think yoga, the first thing that comes to mind would probably be silent meditation, not laughter. This unconventional type of laughter yoga combines simple stretches and breathing exercises with laughter.
This activity will be conducted by Mohseena Parveen, a certified laughter yoga teacher and qualified mindful meditation trainer who has been conducting these sessions for a few years now. Her infectious positivity and teaching methods will ensure maximum feel-good factor by the end of the session. After all, laughter is the best medicine.
Date: 27th September 2020
Time: 9AM-9.45AM & 10AM-10.45AM
More information here
Register online by 25th September 2020, 12PM.
A self-care pack will be delivered to participants.
The Tapestry Project believes in empowering mental health recovery through first-person stories, encouraging individuals to share their own struggles with mental health. It’s no surprise that words hold a lot of power in getting us through dark times – we all know how cathartic it is to tweet emotional lyrics or share relatable poems on our insta stories.
With this workshop on writing for wellness, you’ll be able to learn practical techniques that will help with personal growth and enhance your own self-awareness – all in the process of uncovering your own personal stories.
Date: 27th September 2020
Time: 11AM-12PM
More information here
Register online by 25th September 2020, 12PM.
A self-care pack will be delivered to participants.
If you would like to delve a little deeper into the psyche of mindfulness, this workshop on Cultivating Mindfulness conducted by Mindful Insights involves guided experiential practices and discussions for you to learn more.
You’ll gain insights into the benefits of mindfulness and its relevance to your overall well-being. The formal guided practices will also help you to handle difficult situations in a healthy and sustainable manner, as well as choose better daily activities that help with self-care.
Date: 27th September 2020
Time: 3.15PM-4.15PM & 4.30PM-5.30PM
Register online by 25th September 2020, 12PM.
Do take note that this is only suitable for those ages 18 and above.
A self-care pack will be delivered to participants.
Over the course of Circuit Breaker, Pangdemonium has been releasing several plays online which both entertain and enrich viewers, several of which touch on the topic of mental health.
Join this panel discussion with Adrian Pang alongside other experts and parents to look at how Pangdemonium has shed light on the topic of mental health through their productions. The panel will also be looking at reducing the stigma surrounding those with mental health issues.
Date: 27th September 2020
Time: 2PM-3PM
Where: Facebook LIVE on the Beyond the Label Fest event page
Positive psychology is a relatively new movement in psychology that talks about the science behind happiness and positive feelings. Join this discussion conducted by the Happiness Initiative to gain some tips and tricks on feeling more positive in our day-to-day lives.
Date: 26th September 2020
Time: 6PM-7PM
Where: Facebook LIVE on the Beyond the Label Fest event page
It’s not often that we get the opportunity to congregate with people from all walks of life in a space that allows us to express ourselves freely. Limitless.sg will be conducting a dialogue session as a safe space for youth to come together and talk about some of the stressors in their lives.
Through this session, you’ll be able to hear about others’ struggles and the unique ways that they’ve overcome difficult experiences – and hopefully use it as inspiration for you to pull through your own struggles as well.
Date: 26th September 2020
Time: 2PM-3PM
Where: Zoom
Register here
Youth Alliance will be hosting a conversation for parents and youths to understand more about the struggles that the younger generation face. This dialogue will also be sharing some tips on how to identify and eliminate stressors amongst adolescents.
Date: 27th September 2020
Time: 5.45PM-6.45PM
Where: Facebook LIVE on the Beyond the Label Fest event page
Image credit: Youth Alliance
From all the heart-to-heart talks you’ve had with your friends, it’s clear that your friends are usually your go-to confidantes when it comes to tackling negative emotions. Hence, it helps to have an understanding of mental health issues like depression and anxiety so that you’ll be able to provide the support and help when needed.
Conducted by Youth Alliance, this free virtual escape room allows players to take on the persona of a youth struggling with mental health conditions. Through solving puzzles and finding clues, players will be able to learn more about the difficulties that their peers – or even themselves – may be facing.
Besides getting to experience the thrill of an escape room from the comfort of your own home, you’ll also be rewarded with Shopee vouchers when you complete the game successfully. All you’ll have to do is sign up on the site when it goes live at 10AM on 26th of September.
Date: 26th September 2020
Time: 10AM
Sign-up and participate in the virtual escape room
Mental health can still be a tricky topic to tackle, and it can be hard to find help sometimes.
If you’re looking for mental health assistance beyond this 2-day event, you can always look for Belle the Helpbot – a web-based AI powered chatbot on Facebook that will direct you to the appropriate helplines, mental health services and resources based on your needs.
Besides this helpbot being a one-stop location for resources, it’s also a completely free and anonymous way for you to get help if you’re uncomfortable with opening up to friends and family.
Find out more about Belle the Helpbot.
From 26th-27th September, you’ll get to partake in Tabata workouts and chocolate making workshops from the comfort of your own home, all while gaining insights on mental health at the same time.
To participate in the above Beyond the Label Fest workshops and activities, register online before the respective deadlines to secure your spot. Workshops* will require a token donation of $10 each, which will go towards helping vulnerable groups in Singapore – including persons with mental health conditions.
*Namely Tabata Workout, Perfume-making, Creative Journaling, Chocolate-making, Laughter Yoga, Writing for Wellness, and Cultivating Mindfulness.
As we look after our physical health in these trying times, it is also important to make sure that we do not neglect our own mental and emotional health. Besides taking part in the activities that Beyond the Label Fest has to offer, don’t forget to lend a listening ear to those that need it and to always be empathetic and compassionate!
This post was brought to you by NCSS.
Cover image adapted from: TSL, Leela’s Fine Chocolates, Youth Alliance, @benjaminkheng & @toshrock
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