With hope, there is light

“They lit a spark in me, and I want to do the same for others.”

To many of his friends and colleagues, Felix Avellino Philmone, or affectionately known as Lino, appears as a cheerful and friendly individual, always wearing a welcoming smile. Little do they realise that he has been grappling with depression since his early adolescence – even turning to self-harm as a means to express his inner pain.

In 2016, Lino's life took a critical turn when he was diagnosed with a severe heart condition, and just as he was beginning to recover from this ordeal, he confronted yet another setback: the loss of his job a few months later. These successive hardships led him into the depths of depression, and in 2018, he reached a point of contemplating suicide.

Seated precariously on the ledge of a high-floor HDB block, he contemplated ending his life. In that moment, he thought of his wife and saw the names of his children tattooed on his arms. This poignant reminder shook him to his core and made him realise that he needed help to persevere, not just for his own sake but for the well-being of his family.

“My kids and my wife are my strength, and I did not want my pain to be transferred over to them. It was not fair,” he reflects.

While he was initially apprehensive about the stigma associated with seeking professional help, Lino eventually did take that brave step. Over time, he made significant strides in his recovery, learning how to self-care and self-love. Drawing from his own experiences, he decided to channel his newfound strength into aiding others who were facing similar challenges.

“The support I received was so amazing that I wanted to give back to society. They lit a spark in me, and I want to do the same for others.”

Now at the age of 40, Lino serves as an Assistant Programme Coordinator for the Our HEALing Voice programme at Club HEAL, mentoring other individuals in their recovery journey.

Click here for more information on Club HEAL’s Our HEALing Voice.

Other Stories

With empowerment, there is strength

“I hope my words can be a source of encouragement for those walking through mental health challenges.” Junainah Mohd Eusope, affectionately known as Kak Junn among her peers, has walked a long and inspiring journey of resilience and recovery. In the early 2000s, she faced profound mental health challenges, experienced depression, unexplained bouts of crying and suicidal thoughts. Diagnosed with severe depression in 2002, she made a difficult decision to resign from her job three years later. At that time, Junn struggled to accept her condition and was initially resistant to treatment and medication, which caused her mental health to deteriorate further. With time and encouragement, Junn was introduced to professional support at Simei Care Centre and the Institute of Mental Health. It was through engaging in handicraft work that she began to rediscover her voice and reconnect with others. “Handicrafts have a healing effect on my soul. They allow me to express my emotions and help calm my wandering mind,” she shares. Over the next decade, Junn learned to manage her emotions with courage and determination. As her condition improved, she was inspired to help others, who were going through similar struggles. This motivation led her to join Club HEAL in early 2014. Now at the age of 70, Junn serves as the Arts and Crafts Coordinator under the Recovery Wellness Programme. In this role, she provides a safe and nurturing environment for individuals on their recovery journey to connect, express themselves creatively and acquire new skills. Through her work, Junn has found renewed confidence and optimism. “I hope my words can be a source of encouragement for those walking through mental health challenges. Every step is about empathy, which is important for destigmatisation – to be able to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes and understand others and how they feel.” Click here for more information on Club HEAL’s Recovery Wellness Programme.