During the Health & Humanity elective module conducted by Dr. Tam Wai Jia with medical
students from the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, fourth
year medical students passionate about helping patients with eating disorders stepped
forward to help patients in their recovery.
Recognizing the need to provide support for young people facing mental health struggles in a
way that speaks to them, the medical students worked closely with health professionals from
the National University Hospital (NUH) to curate an art therapy program.
Said Grace, leader of her team and a previous participant in Kitesong Global workshops,
“I remember being encouraged and uplifted by the Kitesong Global workshops. It made me realize my struggles were part of a shared humanity. The workshops inspired me to work together with a multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide better support to patients with eating disorders. I learnt that recovery isn’t linear or simple, but requires the willingness to be vulnerable. It gave me the courage to pursue this project where I got to use the Kitesong Global toolkits to bless patients struggling with mental health.”
From November 2020 to January 2021, the NUH Department of Paediatrics at the Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children’s Medical Institute ran an 8-session support group programme for four teenage girls recovering from eating disorders, based on the students’ co-developed art therapy programme using the Kitesong toolkits.
The stories spoke powerfully to them about their struggles, giving them hope of recovery.
Artwork done by the participants, published with permission.
Ms Soong Suk Lin from Paediatric Psychological Services, who conducted the sessions, shared,
“After watching A Taste of Rainbow, a patient shared that the video really resonated with her and has inspired her to help others when she recovers.”
Parents were invited to join one of the sessions to better understand their children’s inner
struggles. Said Suk Lin:
“The resources and activities helped one of the parents openly share her feelings and struggles with her child, giving them the precious opportunity to bond in a special way.”
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With Kitesong Global’s toolkits, you can facilitate powerful discussions on topics like
pursuing dreams. Activities include a video message of Wai Jia’s story, book reading and
discussion questions. Explore the toolkits here: www.kitesong.com/our-toolkits