(Singapore, August 27) On the evening of August 25, a fund raising musical titled “I’MPERFECT” was staged at the concert hall of Esplanade in Singapore. With the growing aging population, societal focus on the mental health of young people has become increasingly urgent. This musical not only explores the pressing mental health challenges faced by young people in Singapore today but also conveys the message that imperfection is acceptable.
To support and promote research on mental health and resilience in Singapore, D.S. Lee Foundation donated 3 million SGD to the NUHS and NUS’s Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre. The Guest-of-Honour is Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung, graced the fundraising musical, and transformed the message on mental health through the music, that it’s okay to be imperfect, and parental, social media and society’s impact on youth mental health.
Raising Psychological Resilience and Accepting Imperfection
The producer of the musical, Mary Anne Tan, stated that it is our imperfections that make us who we are, and this is the message the musical seeks to convey.
“In a sense, the differences and imperfections in our existence are normal. We should allow for imperfection. It is precisely these imperfections that make us unique individuals, and we must be ready to adapt to them. By discussing imperfection, we also aim to dispel the stigma associated with mental health issues.”
As an advisor to the musical, Associate Professor John Wong, Director of the NUS Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre, provided significant guidance on how to accurately depict the symptoms and causes of mental health issues, avoiding overly dramatic portrayals.
In 2023, Associate Professor Wong led a consortium of investigators from the Department of Psychological Medicine. Their annual study focused on four main areas: mental health, resilience, identity development, and social media usage. The Year study looked at four key areas – mental health, resilience, identity development and media activity use. With data collected from 2020 to 2022, the study involved 3,336 young people aged 10 to 18 and attempts to describe the association of resilience, risks, and protective factors in developing internalising and externalising symptoms, and how having resilience can mitigate mental health distress. Respondents in the YEAR study with higher good mental health scores also had higher resilience scores.
“To better deal with and manage challenges and adversities in life, it is important that our youths build a fortified sense of resilience. The ages between 10 to 18 years old have been identified to be the window of opportunity, where the youths are entering puberty and have the time and space to work on themselves to grow into the young adults they want to be. Parents and educators alike can be informed on how to use these resilience domains as a guide to nurture their child, and facilitate their youth’s growth,” said Assoc Prof Wong.
Inspired by the belief that “young people are the future of Singapore, and we should find ways to raise awareness of and address this issue and help them,” Mary Anne Tan and her team were motivated to create this musical.
The D.S. Lee Foundation has gifted S$3 million to the NUHS and NUS’s Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre, of which S$2 million will be used to establish a new endowed professorship in mental health and digital science. NUS will name the professorship as the Della Suantio Lee Professorship in Mental Health and Digital Science, which Professorship aims to support cutting-edge research in understanding, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions through digital technologies like AI and big data analytics.
The remaining S$1 million will be kept unrestricted to support our academic, research and outreach programmes. The ‘D.S. Lee Foundation Mind Art Experiential Lab’ located at Alexandra Hospital, is one of Asia’s first innovative space for discovery of creative and integrative interventions through art, mindfulness and transdisciplinary research to promote mental wellness, enhance cognitive functions, improve quality of mind and mental resilience across the age continuum (child, adolescents, youth, adults and seniors).
The cheque was received jointly by Chairman of the NUHS-NUS Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi and Dean of Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Professor Chong Yap Seng. National University of Singapore will name the professorship as the Della Suantio Lee Professorship in Mental Health and Digital Science. The Mind Art Experiential Lab (MAELab) at the Alexandra Hospital will be renamed the D.S. Lee Foundation MAELab.
Expanding Charitable Impact, To give is better than To Receive
Dr. Della Suantio Lee, Chair of the D.S. Lee Foundation, is the wife of the late Dr. Lee Seng Gee, a Singapore pioneer and renowned philanthropist as well as the former chairman of Lee Foundation and Lee Rubber Group. After his passing in 2016, Dr. Della continues efforts likely sustain and perhaps even expands the influence of their philanthropic mission. By focusing on causes like education, nursing and mental health – AI, she ensures that critical social issues continue to receive attention and funding, even in the absence of other key figures.
There is a saying in Chinese, “To give is better than to receive.” Dr. Della believes that this principle emphasizes the fulfilment and purpose found in selfless acts of generosity. For her personally, “giving fosters a sense of connection, responsibility, and compassion.”
On behalf of D.S.Lee Foundation, Dr. Astrid Suantio present the cheque of $3 million donation to the Mind Science Centre, NUS, “it is more than just a financial contribution—it is a commitment to the future of mental health research and education. We believe that by investing in the mind, we are investing in the well-being of countless individuals and communities. This gift is a testament to our deep respect for the work being done here, and our hope that it will fuel groundbreaking discoveries and support those in need.” Dr Astrid said at the presenting ceremony.
Dr Astrid Suantion, the niece of Dr Della Sunatio Lee said that her aunt often shares thoughts and wisdom on life and philanthropy with her, “her unwavering dedication to philanthropy and her passion for education and social causes have inspired many, including myself. Her actions remind us all of the profound impact that giving can have, not just on the recipients, but on the giver as well.”
Dr. Astrid Suantio fully understands her aunt’s approach, she believes that Dr. Della Lee’s values and vision will lead the foundation to play an even more important role in the future. “In a time when leadership and guidance are needed more than ever, Dr. Della has stepped forward, continuing the legacy of giving and ensuring that critical causes receive the support they need. Her influence extends beyond the immediate moment, inspiring others to consider how they, too, can contribute to the greater good.”
