Photo: 1Vibe Records
Why did you choose to go public about your mental condition?
The more I fight this condition to improve my quality of life, the greater the social stigma I had to deal with. As friends began to disconnect, I regarded my choice to be frank as a kind of litmus test for true blue friendships.
With family love, support and therapy, recovery was still no piece of cake for me. Through my album, I want to raise awareness of mental illness and offer hope to anyone who has been down and out.
How do you think the stigma attached to mental illness can be removed?
More survivors need to step forward and share their journeys. Information about various mental conditions has been available and accessible to everyone in the community.
Hopefully, more employers can provide opportunities for recovering patients to be employed.
What would you most like your listeners to take away from your album?
I’d like them to never lose hope that life can get better. Sharing the word about mental health can possibly save lives.
Everyone goes through rough patches, so no one needs to suffer alone in silence. Mental conditions are not death sentences. Struggles can be blessings in disguise.
How do you intend to support your cause with your album Solitude?
At this point in time, the charity we are looking to support is CLUBHEAL organisation, for the purpose of debunking mental stigma and creating awareness about mental health.
By Runbin Yew
Support Sufyan Supiani’s debut album, Solitude, produced in support of World Mental Health Day 2014. You may connect with Suf on YouTube @Suf Supiani.
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