What is the story behind the founding of Calm Collective?
The seed was planted in 2019 around the time I released an article about my mental health experiences titled How I Went from Leaving to Living. I saw that sharing personal stories and having open conversations are the most effective ways to destigmatise mental health. They can help to give people the confidence to seek help, before it’s too late.

By the time Calm Collective was set up, my co-founder Alyssa Reinos and I had already lost two loved ones to suicide. In our catch-ups, we would both talk about how Asia needed more mental health content that reflected the Asian perspective, as mental health issues are traditionally seen as “a Western thing” in this part of the world.

The Covid-19 circuit breaker in Singapore opened up the opportunity for us to start Calm Collective. I was personally upset that mental health services were considered [by the government] as non-essential, which meant that I technically couldn't see my therapist or psychiatrist. This got me thinking about all the people who needed the help, especially given the stressful times. That's when we decided to launch our first series of virtual events focused on coping strategies for mental health—and Calm Collective was born.

What is perpetuating the stigma around mental health?
The stigma exists due to the lack of education and understanding of the subject. Without the knowledge that mental health is simply a part of one’s overall health, we don’t have the understanding or vocabulary to talk about it with compassion. Oftentimes, people with mental health conditions are written off as crazy or dangerous, when in fact the majority of mental health conditions can be managed with therapy, medication and lifestyle changes.

Many of the conversations around mental health today approaches the matter from a top-down perspective, with the objective of “fixing” the situation such as reducing suicide rates or burnout. I find that it’s rarely talked about in a way that is compassionate toward the individual’s lived experiences; rarely is the human put first. So at Calm Collective, we ensure that the human experience is at the centre of our content.

Also, despite the increase in mental health conversations, some perpetuate certain misconceptions about what mental health really is. Many corporates and individuals I’ve spoken with continue to declare that “mental health is not for me, I’m not struggling”. But this isn't true at all: Mental health is a part of our health. It exists on a continuum and every individual should strive to have good mental health. They should be proactive in managing their own mental health, just like how they'd take care of their body by regularly going for a health check up. 

How can we all start talking about our mental health more?
Start with yourself—practise curiosity and non-judgment in your everyday conversations with others, and support each other with greater empathy. Also, embrace mental health as an essential part of our overall health. By understanding that the brain is an organ that can fall sick, you will be more open to seeking help.

Calm Collective is hosting its first virtual conference, CalmCon, from November 12 and 13. Register to attend with the promo code GENT30 to receive 30 percent off tickets.