Have we truly broken down the stigma around mental health in Asia, or are there still barriers beneath the surface? Using case studies from Singapore, let's dive into the progress that has been made, the challenges that remain, and what’s next for mental health in the region.

The unhealthy link between self-worth and academic achievement has been a long-standing issue within Singapore. Be it from time in school or even at the workplace, we are always chasing after the last point or going towards meeting our KPI for the month. But I think the pandemic has made us, including myself, rethink all these things, and finding balance and fulfillment is the way to go in the long term.

Tough love is a prime example of the philosophy ‘the ends justify the means’. As Michael Scott says in the hit TV show, The Office, “Tough love is when you have to be mean to somebody because you love them. And the more you love a person, the meaner you have to get.”

“I’m scared that life will pass me by,” a close friend confided in me recently over a cup of coffee. “I’m afraid that I’ll wake up one day, realise I’m 50 years old, and wonder where all the time has gone.” It is a valid worry, and one I personally relate to. Deep down, I am also worried that I’ll #hustle and #girlboss my way through life without stopping to smell the flowers.

I used to keep my feelings, thoughts, and opinions to myself. I never explored my emotions thoroughly before. I would push them aside whenever I interacted with people or worked because I didn't want anyone to know the challenges I faced at work, except for my closest friends. Writing has become a powerful tool for me.

These books, written by Asian authors, specifically address mental health in the context of different Asian cultures, where often health is neglected to achieve high standards of education and work quality. If you identify with that, or have been looking for mental health stories that you resonate with culturally, here are some brilliantly crafted stories that are unforgettable.