Jason Cayanan October 13, 2021 "It's all in your head." "It's just your thinking that's the problem." Anyone who has suffered from mental illness has likely heard some variation of these phrases, coming from strangers to even the closest of friends and family. These phrases hurt deeply, because it is a sentiment that relies on a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of mental illness (and indeed, the nature of the mind itself). More than merely mental Yes, mental illnesses are primarily defined as extreme distress or disorder in the functions of emotions, reasoning, or behavior ..read more

Jon October 6, 2021 As the old adage goes, an idle mind is the devil’s playground and I feel this holds no truer than in my experience with depression and anxiety or sometimes, both.  More often than not, one leads to the other and thus I’m left at a loss, not knowing, no, not feeling the urge to do anything but hide. Running away, hibernating at home curled up in bed, protecting ourselves from the outside world are actions that further compound the problem.  While this may be comforting, and though it’s difficult to take the first step, there are more productive ways we can c ..read more

September 22, 2021 [trigger warning: self-harm, suicide, distrubing content] Anxiety, major depression, and mild psychosis. That’s where my story begins. Every tick of the clock would make the gears of my mind go into overdrive. Tick. “I need to do more.” Tick. “I didn’t do enough.” Tick. “What I did wasn’t enough.” These were but a fraction of the uninvited thoughts that accompanied my anxiety, and my body would always respond to them – the palm of my hands would sweat profusely, and I would start fidgeting or tapping my foot. As if that weren’t enough, I would subconsciously start bit ..read more

David Lau September 15, 2021 Self-Love Feeling comfortable in my own skin. Words and phrases shared almost whimsically by your friends, colleagues, or parents. How do I express love towards myself? What does it mean to be in a state of peace and gratitude with my own body, regardless of where I am and who I am right now? It took me a long time to realise this: As humans, we are born with the need to feel loved. The need to feel affection, the need to feel understood, the need to feel comforted. Did you know that it starts from yourself? If your cup is broken, no matter how much water ..read more

September 10, 2021 On bad days, getting out of bed is hard; trying to stop the tide seems a lot easier. When these days happen, all I do is curl up in bed, keep the room as dark as possible and ignore all forms of human contact. This is the wrong mentality.  When you embrace the darkness, you perpetuate a cycle that is hard to break. And as this happens, therapy, even medication, becomes moot. Take Control We need to take control of our challenges and not let them take control of us. For me, I’ve realised it’s not just about fighting it but embracing it, to know that it’s a part ..read more

September 9, 2021 trigger warning: suicide, self-harm In line with Suicide Awareness Day in September, PGR is raising awareness around a very taboo topic: Suicide & Depression. We’ve interviewed several individuals (heroes) about their lived experiences; stories that we hope will bring you healing, hope, and a deeper level of understanding.   In our interview below, we feature Xiu Wen who shares her journey as a high-functioning individual who has achieved much, but continues to deal with many emotions that may not be as obvious on the surface. Tell us more about your jou ..read more

September 6, 2021 trigger warning: suicide, self-harm In line with Suicide Awareness Day in September, PGR is raising awareness around a very taboo topic: Suicide & Depression. We’ve interviewed several individuals (heroes) about their lived experiences; stories that we hope will bring you healing, hope, and a deeper level of understanding.   In our interview below, we feature Jamie who shares her journey and explains how recovery can be an extremely volatile process; one that can be likened to a roller coaster ride. Tell us more about your journey? It all started after my pa ..read more

September 6, 2021 [trigger warning: suicide, sexual abuse] In line with Suicide Awareness Day in September, PGR is raising awareness around a very taboo topic: Suicide & Depression. We’ve interviewed several individuals (heroes) about their lived experiences; stories that we hope will bring you healing, hope, and a deeper level of understanding.   In our interview below, we feature Emma who is now a dedicated athlete and advocate for those struggling with mental health issues. Her story is one of suffering, but one that is also filled with hope, triumph, and a willingness ..read more

Ling Anne Hsieh September 1, 2021 The Problem: Restless Nights I sleep seven to eight hours a day. Yet, every single day I dread the mornings. I dread waking up and having to get out of bed. The night before, I lay in bed filled with anxiety — countless negative thoughts and worries running through my mind.  The cycle will only keep repeating itself.  I’ve tried meditation, bringing essential oils, and changing my diet. I’ve tried taking a bath or drinking a glass of warm milk before I go to bed.  Nothing seems to work.  I’ve had people with good intentions tell me t ..read more

August 30, 2021 trigger warning: suicide, self-harm In line with Suicide Awareness Day in September, PGR is raising awareness around a very taboo topic: Suicide & Depression. We’ve interviewed several individuals (heroes) about their lived experiences; stories that we hope will bring you healing, hope, and a deeper level of understanding.  In our interview below, we feature Angeline* (not her real name), who once struggled with issues ranging from starvation to self-harm to attempted suicide. Today, she’s proud to share that she’s come out stronger and has been in recovery for ..read more