Escape rooms are a fun way to face a challenge or a mystery with friends and solve the problem together. However, one Youth Corps Singapore leader decided to combine the idea of the escape room with the concept of mental illness. Thanks to the newly designed game, people can learn more about what it feels like to struggle with mental illness in Singapore.
A New Kind of Escape Room
The new depression-themed escape room was staged at The Red Box, not far from *Scape on Orchard Road. Sponsored by a group called the Young ChangeMakers, the game raises awareness for mental illness, particularly depression. It was designed to help participants understand the thoughts and feelings of those with poor mental health in Singapore.
True to Life
One of the men who helped create the game is Mr Chia Xun An. He was diagnosed with major depressive disorder at age 10. Sometimes he would be so depressed that he felt suicidal.
He managed to recover from his depression, only to crash into it again during his last year at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Problems with classmates and stress from exams led to a complete breakdown. Shortly after consulting with a psychiatrist in Singapore, he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in addition to the major depressive disorder.
A Partnership for Awareness
To create the escape room, the 25-year-old Chia worked with Mr Cho Ming Xiu, a youth corps leader and promoter of mental health awareness. Together, they formed a serious of puzzles, each one themed around a mental health challenge. Throughout the game, the players were presented with resources and helpful materials, so that they could encourage struggling friends or family members to seek help.
Connection with a Character
One portion of the game employed a facilitator playing the character of “Jessica.” Players had to show empathy, speak kindly to the character, and learn more about her anxiety and depression before they could proceed through the game. At the end of the game, players spent time talking about what they learned and how it might relate to people in their lives struggling with depression in Singapore.
A Better Outlook
Thanks to his continuing treatment and his participation in designing the game, Mr Chia is in a more positive place today. He attributes much of his recovery to the support of friends from the Institute of Mental Health.
The Danger of Waiting to Get Help
Do you know someone who is struggling with mental health issues? Perhaps you have experienced mental illness yourself, but you are reluctant to seek treatment for depression in Singapore. The longer you wait, the more serious your condition can become and the longer it will take to help you overcome it. Please take action today! Call Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic and make an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist in Singapore. Our trained psychiatrists and caring staff will protect your personal information, care for you, and help you reclaim the joy that you deserve to have in your life.
(Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/an-escape-room-to-learn-about-depression, Jan 2018)
