What motivated a mother to quit her job, learn, volunteer, advocate for mental health AND start a programme for the Malay community? Her son.
When Faiza left her full-time job to care for her son with schizophrenia, her life drastically changed overnight - not only was she cut off from meaningful social connections, but struggling with the stigma and seeking help and resources for mental health was also a challenge.
After joining our online Caregivers-to-Caregivers (C2C) Training Programme, beyond finding knowledge and support in her caregiving journey, she regained a newfound purpose - to pay forward the hope and clarity that she had gained from C2C, to other caregivers who were once like her - burnt out, confused, and unsure of where or how to begin.
Joining us as a full-time Programme Manager in 2022, Faiza actively tapped her personal network in the Malay-Muslim community to share about the importance of supporting mental health caregivers. Her efforts came to fruition last month when she conducted CAL's first C2C Training Programme in Malay language. The pilot class is currently attended by 12 participants ranging from the ages of 20-60; a handful are male caregivers, and majority are caring for their parents and children.
"Many of the participants find it easier to relate to someone of the same race, they tend to be more open to sharing about their caregiving issues, so it's very encouraging for me to teach the C2C class in Malay language," she explains. Faiza also observed that some of the participants had attended the C2C course in English, but with it now being available in Malay, they quickly signed up, for the opportunity to meet peers of the same race, or simply an to be refreshed on the knowledge and skills they had learnt previously. Indeed, because they are among peers in similar situations, all caring for loved ones with mental health issues, participants feel safe, not judged, and a sense of belonging.
Faiza hopes that this initiative will not only break down the language barrier for caregivers to gain knowledge and skills, but also dispel the cultural stigma of mental health issues within this community.
This year marks the 10th year of Faiza's caregiving journey since her son first displayed symptoms of schizophrenia in 2014. Today, he is doing well and she too, enjoys a tremendous sense of fulfilment that while she may have left her formal career, she is perhaps meant to do this - advocate for mental health!
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