2008 Rally for Recovery
Stop Stigma. Save Lives.
In 2008, ASHA International collaborated with the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, and Silver Ribbon Singapore in presenting the Rally for Recovery programs at the 2008 Asia Pacific Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference, and in celebration of World Mental Health Day at the National University of Singapore.
What people are saying…
"Ms. Gayathri delivered excellent and most beautiful lessons straight from her heart and soul - which touched and inspired the audiences of the Asia Pacific Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference. We truly thank her for her presence in Singapore.
Dr. Alex Su
Chairman,
Organizing Committee, 2008 Asia Pacific Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference
President, Singapore Psychiatric Association
Head, Emergency Services
Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
"Gayathri Ramprasad is an extremely confident, inspirational, and passionate speaker, touching the heart of the mental health professionals, caregivers, and consumers in Singapore with her experience and positive thoughts. The tight schedule of the conference had left her really tired but this did not deter her from continuing to share her views on how we could combat mental health stigma and encourage early treatment. She is truly the Helen Keller of Mental Health."
Porsche Poh
Founder, Executive Director
Silver Ribbon Singapore
“We watched and experienced Gayathri Ramprasad spread the light in the tunnel of darkness of apathy and neglect through her powerful, moving and credible experiences that captivated and inspired the audience. Her message of hope rejuvenates the enthusiasm of the care givers, the sufferers as well as those who are less aware of mental illness.”
Dr. C. B. Khare
Chief, Department of Psychological Medicine
National University of Singapore
“For anyone struggling against the darkness of depression, Gayathri Ramprasad provides a ray of hope. For everyone using and/or providing mental health services, she provides powerful evidence that recovery is real. To say she is an inspiring speaker is an understatement; she is truly a driving force for good. Her entrepreneurial spirit, her personal commitment, and her charisma contribute energy and direction to ongoing efforts to advance humane treatment, effective services, and public acceptance of people with mental illnesses.”
Patricia B. Nemec, Psy.D., C.R.C., C.P.R.P.
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Workforce Development Consultant
“Ms. Gayathri, an eloquent speaker, transformed the mindset of the providers and recipients of mental health from an unsure future to a state of hopefulness by sharing her lifetime’s journey to discover a life of holistic healing.
Drawing from her lived experience and her extensive experience as a global mental health advocate, Gayathri addressed critical issues affecting people living with mental illness which further opened our minds to work towards the road to recovery for our patients and for ourselves.
Participants were inspired by her passion in delivering the golden message to transform the trauma of mental illness into the triumph of recovery.
She came as a hurricane of hope from USA and has swept all hearts and minds together with her, inspiring us to collaborate with our clients with a renewed sense of hope and solidarity.
A humble and beautiful person, she is indeed “A one woman hurricane of hope!”
G. Arumugam
Advanced Practice Nurse
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“It was very inspiring for me to have the chance to attend your workshop THRIVE: Transforming Trauma into Triumph. Thank you for sharing your lived experiences and the journey to rehabilitation. It was a very touching presentation, providing hope for people facing mental illness and reinforced the value of the rehabilitation process.
You are an example of overcoming the barriers induced by mental illness.”
Tan
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist
Taiwan
“Your message was so powerful. The contents were clear, the emotions and shared experiences were invaluable. We need a ‘revolution’ to happen in mental health care. And, I believe people like you, Harris and Rita are instrumental in this. Yes! Let’s hold hands and move forwards. We will see ground breaking discoveries evolving with people like you so energized to make a change! Yes! We can do it!”
Deepthika De Silva
Counselor
Simei Care Center
Singapore Anglican Community Services
“An inspirational yet simple presentation coming from someone who has not only endured mental illness personally but also successfully recovered after overcoming numerous obstacles along the way.
Drawing from her valuable experience, Gayathri was able to innovatively create user-friendly approaches to transform the trauma of mental illness into the triumph of recovery.”
Dr. Suthahar Ariaratnam
Consultant Psychiatrist
Kelana Jaya Medical Center
Malaysia
“Your testimony was an eye opener. I felt recharged just listening to you. Keep up the good work you are doing. Well done!”
Tan Chong Eng
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“I’m touched by your story. You have come a long way. Your desire to change and your positive attitude is marvelous. You have transformed your life. We love you and you have inspired us to love the patients in our care! God bless you and your family.”
Mazlan Binte Hassan
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. It really touched our heart and enlightened our minds about the patient’s perspective. We will remember you and love our patients more. Take care and wish you all the best. God bless!”
Nancy
Psychiatric Nurse
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“I feel touched by your personal story. Please continue to share it with other people. I am sure they can benefit from it.”
Steven
Psychiatric Nurse
Singapore
“Your story has really opened our eyes and is very, very inspiring to me. I will continue giving the best care to my patients with your testimonial in mind – that there is always hope of recovery for our patients.”
Shamsiah Bte Baba
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“Your presence and story have inspired me. I am touched and moved by your journey. You are an angel sent in human form. I feel moved and very inspired in my own personal endeavors and in my work with my clients.”
Salleh HJ Mohamed
Psychiatric Nurse
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“Your bravery in sharing your experiences in facing depression leading to family problems etc., has inspired me tremendously. You are indeed a candle in the dark spreading your radiance and hope, meaning and happiness to patients suffering from mental illness. Your sharing of the suffering you have undergone has inspired me to become a professional nurse and serve patients with mental illness with a humane, kind heart.”
Ng Hoe San
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“Your story will inspire us and the world that having mental illness is not the end of the world. You are a living proof that there is hope for all people suffering from mental illness. We are really blessed to have you as our guest speaker. Continue your good work. May God bless you and your family.”
Johnathan
Psychiatric Nurse
Singapore
“Your speech at the recent 2008 Asia Pacific Rehabilitation Conference Singapore inspired and motivated me to have greater courage to dream and live my dreams. Your presentation was uplifting, informative and engaging. Rarely do I have the opportunity to meet a speaker like you. I was very impressed with your eloquent delivery. You showed much professionalism in the way you delivered your presentation, skillfully managing to balance a strikingly personal experience with important facts and references for the audience. You came across as sincere, prepared and confident, at the same time relaxed and open. That's a hard combination to achieve, but you did it with style and grace. You would be a huge asset to ANY organization who is looking for an amazing, one-of-a-kind speaker. Your ability to connect to a variety of personalities, cultures, and ages is a true gift!”
Dr Rita Goh · Founder
Aspiron Services
Singapore
“Thank you very much for sharing with us the traumatic experiences that you went through alone with no one understanding your real feelings. Glad you were able to get out of the ‘isolation cell’ and to be a great person in life. Keep in up. Good to know that your family stands by you and supports you daily.
Your sharing gives me a great feeling for being a nurse who is able to help her patients with psychiatric problems – depression, anxiety disorders, etc.”
Crystal
Psychiatric Nurse
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“Thank you for sharing your life story. It was enlightening and very encouraging to see how you managed to recover from your illness. Continue your good work. Congratulations and best wishes.”
M. Palaniappan
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“Thank you for inspiring us healthcare workers to love our clients and help them to recover from mental illness – cancer of the brain.”
Edwin Kwan Toh Meng
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“After listening to your inspirational experience, it gives me more determination to give better care to my patients. Once again, I thank you for sharing your valuable experience.”
Jian
Psychiatric Nurse
Singapore
“Thank you very much for sharing your experience. Your presentation is really helpful and valuable to all health care professionals who are working in mental health care settings and on the other hand we feel that it is also helpful in knowing the experience and feelings from the patient’s perspective.”
Mr. N
Psychiatric Nurse
Singapore
“Your experiences really are very touching and help me have more understanding about mental illness and my patients. I can see the hope for my patients through your experience. Thanks very much for sharing.”
Joy
Psychiatric Nurse
Singapore
“The world needs more upfront people like you! You are inspiring, special, and brave. I feel appreciated as a nurse listening to your testimonial. Extremely motivating! The hospitals (psychiatric institutions) should engage more speakers like you. To have patients like you, it’s like ‘for you a thousand times over?’”
Norsila Binte Hamid
Psychiatric Nurse
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
“Thank you so much for having the courage to share your story with the world!
Thank you for affirming my conviction that persons with mental illness do have a chance for recovery and to have a life, that all is not bleak and hopeless. Your story also confirms for me that the answer for persons with mental illness does not lie wholly in medications and there are alternatives to live a full and vibrant life. For all who’ve had dances with the devils of insanity, you and others like you are rays of light and hope!
Thank you ever so much for stepping up!”
Victor
Psychiatric Nurse
Singapore
“Kudos! You are a ‘Wonder Woman.’ I call you that because I admire your energy and strong self determination. I really salute you and I don’t believe that there are people like you in this world. Your family will be happy and truly lucky to have you. I hope that you continue on your path and wishing there are more people like you in this world. God bless you and your family.”
Arlene
Psychiatric Nurse
Institute of Mental Health
Singapore
"A Candle in the Dark is an iconic representation of Ms Gayathri Ramprasad.
The light that she portrays is a reflection of the hope she provides people. Her sharing touched many hearts at the 2008 Asia Pacific Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference and brought tears to the eyes of caregivers and care providers who listened to her words.”
Michael Pang
Chairman
Caregivers’ Association of the Mentally-Ill
“It was an inspiring account of the personal odyssey of a courageous woman who returned from the dark side of the moon.”
Kua Ee Heok
Professor and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist
Head, Department of Psychological Medicine
National University of Singapore
”I cannot thank you enough for all of your hard work prior to and at our lunchtime talk on World Mental health Day! You were even more of a hit than I had hoped! My expectations were met, and exceeded. Our audience felt that you’re a good advocate for mentally ill people and was touched by you. I hope to have an opportunity to work with you again in the near future in stamping out stigma of mental illnesses. This was truly an enjoyable experience.”
Cecilia Chng Mui Lee
Advanced Practice Nurse
Department of Psychological Medicine
National University of Singapore
JOIN the Rally for Recovery!
If you or your organization is interested in collaborating with ASHA International in presenting the Rally for Recovery, please e-mail gayathri@myasha.org
To view the Rally for Recovery Menu of Programs, please click here…