Monday, 9 June 2014
On 24th May 2014 from 10 am to 12 pm, the first ever Psychology Post-Graduate Sharing Session was held at AS7-01-06. Organised specially for Psychology students interested in pursuing a Post Graduate education but with no idea of how to start, the event kicked off with a talk by the Director of Graduate Studies (Non-Clinical) for Psychology, Associate Professor Melvin Yap. During this talk, students gained some valuable insight into how Graduate schools are like, if pursuing post-graduate studies was truly for them, and the many opportunities that a post-graduate education could offer.
After the talk, an interactive sharing session was held: Attendees were able to participate in small group sharing sessions with five NUS psychology alumni who have either completed or are currently pursuing their Post-Graduate education. These interactive sessions allowed the students to gain first hand information from their seniors, who had their fair share of rewarding experiences, sweat, and toil in Graduate school. Through this sharing, it is hoped that the students would better understand how an undertaking in Post Graduate studies would be like and thus better prepare themselves if they were ever to choose taking this path in the future.
This event was made possible with the support from our Director of Post Graduate Studies for Psychology, Associate Professor Melvin Yap, five of our Psychology alumni: Ms Cheung Hoi Shan, Ms Cheng Xiao Qin, Ms Choo Rui Qi, Mr Haikel Lim and Mr Daniel Gan, NUS Psychology Society, as well as, our attendees.
Written by Alexis Loh Jen Ing, Academics Director, 8th Executive Committee, NUS Psychology Society.
For two hours on 22 May 2014 at AS7-01-06, we got an inside look at how people with mental illness move from illness to wellness. Through the recovery stories of two peer specialists, we saw how recovery is possible. And more so, how they are using their stories to inspire others. Through the sharing of Helen Yong, Head of Residential Services, SAMH, we saw through her eyes how a professional caregiver serves, deal with crises and sustains her passion in her work.
All in all, abnormal psychology teaches us the symptoms of and treatment for people with mental illness, “An Inside Look” sought to contextualise book knowledge with lived experiences, leading us to not only look at the “deficits” but appreciate the assets of people with mental illnesses. Illness begins with an “i”, wellness begins with a “we”. “An Inside Look – from illness to wellness” hopes that “we” can partner people with mental illness to create a wellness-centric perspective towards recovery and living.
This event was made possible by strong support from the Singapore Association of Mental Health (SAMH), partnership with the NUS Psychology Society and the eager audience.
Written by Khoo Yi Feng, facilitator of the event and also the one who first proposed the event (Psychology Major, Year 1)