On the surface, 31-year-old Nur Afiqah Mohd Azman seems upbeat and outgoing, but her journey has been anything but easy. Afiqah, who once struggled in
On the surface, 31-year-old Nur Afiqah Mohd Azman seems upbeat and outgoing, but her journey has been anything but easy. Afiqah, who once struggled intensely with mental health issues during her time studying biological sciences at Nanyang Technological University, recalls the overwhelming stress that led to isolation and crying spells.
In 2015, her struggles culminated in a suicide attempt while on an exchange program in South Korea. Afiqah remembers stopping herself at the last minute and returning to Singapore to finish her studies. Even after graduating in 2016, her mental health issues persisted, following her into her role as a relief teacher. She describes feeling as if “spirits” were around her, hearing unsettling voices and feeling intense fear.
After trying to manage these symptoms while holding various jobs, Afiqah sought help in 2018 at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) after a friend’s advice. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition that combines symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorder. Afiqah then joined Club Heal, where she participated in activities to build confidence and social skills.
In October 2022, Afiqah took on a pushcart role at IMH, helping her gain comfort with customer interactions in a no-pressure environment. This year, she worked with the elderly at a dementia center, finding fulfillment in supporting others with mental health challenges.
With improved mental stability, Afiqah now feels ready to rejoin the workforce, applying to roles as a life skills lecturer and school counselor. She acknowledges lingering concerns about workplace reactions to her condition but finds support through Club Heal’s Back To Work program, which assists individuals with mental health conditions in workforce reintegration.
Singapore’s Ministry of Health has recently launched a National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy to address mental health in the workplace, an initiative that aims to support employees with conditions like Afiqah’s through employer education and stigma reduction.
Afiqah says such support could reduce workplace stigma, empowering more people to seek fulfilling roles without fear of judgment or discrimination.
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