S1E131: Using spirituality to improve mental health

Finding meaning and purpose in life.

Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this New Year's day episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo talks to Adj Assoc Prof Angie Chew about the importance of spirituality in our lives. They also discuss how to harness this source of strength to improve our mental health and find meaning, purpose, and happiness in life.

Prof Chew is the Founder, CEO and Mindfulness Principal of Brahm Centre, a mental health charity dedicated to promoting happier and healthier living.

This podcast is part of the No Health Without Mental Health series. It is a special year-long series that The Straits Times started in October 2024 to normalise conversations about mental health so that people can get timely support. The December package on combating holiday blues was released on Dec 16.

Highlights (click/tap above)

2:24 What is spirituality?

6:08 Coping with irrational fears and jealousy

10:23 Creating a distance between you and your thoughts

14:57 Parents predicting that their children won't do well in school

18:25 What if spirituality becomes a source of stress for you?

22:32 It's time to forgive someone

Check out ST's new series, No health without mental health: https://str.sg/mentalhealthmatters

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

Host: Joyce Teo ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong