S1E16: With all the talk about mental health, should we be in therapy?

Nov 21, 2024

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With more people conscious about mental health issues, is going to therapy the solution to deal with inner mind and emotional struggles?

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

These days, conversations about mental health - and content about it - are everywhere.

Within that space, therapy often comes up as a way to deal with mental health issues. People write about it in personal essays, it’s bandied around in memes, and on TikTok, there are therapists who create short-form videos about boundaries, trauma and coping mechanisms.

But should everyone be in therapy?

To answer that question, The Usual Place’s host Natasha Ann Zachariah speaks with Raquel Ang, 35, co-founder of telewellness platform IHearU App, and singer-songwriter Layyi, 28, who was featured on a song called Lovin’ Me.

(The track, led by local singer-songwriter Haneri (Daphne Khoo) and also features Whylucas, is part of a youth mental wellness initiative by McDonald’s Singapore.)

Raquel, who has a Master’s in Counselling, has been in therapy for about two years, while Layyi started in September 2023. Both of them experienced a “breaking point” in their lives which pushed them to explore therapy.

Natasha discusses with them about whether therapy should be a universal experience or a deeply personal choice. Together, they unpack how therapy has changed them, their initial concerns about going for it and why it’s one of many tools for mental health.

The Usual Place Podcast will give away 10 sets of exclusive McDonald’s merchandise to be given away. Each set consists of a tote bag, a sticker sheet, four postcards and a pack of F&B vouchers (expiring on Dec 31, 2024).

Here’s how you can win them: Subscribe to The Straits Times Podcasts’ YouTube channel and leave a comment there under this video - Is therapy only for those with mental health issues? - about what’s the best way you’re taking care of your mental health. The team will select 10 winners and get in touch with them. Good luck!

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:57 Openness and eagerness for change - considerations for therapy

6:47 When is the right time to go to therapy?

11:01 The stigma of therapy

14:38 “Only the problem kid goes for therapy.”

25:03 Picking a counsellor or therapist

30:54 “Therapy speak” being a part of daily conversation

38:52 Going to therapy is like going on a date with yourself

Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Eden Soh & Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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