Bringing life to death

This feature article explores how in recent years, an increasing number of initiatives have sprung up, encouraging Singaporeans to grapple with their own mortality and to plan for the end. This shift towards greater openness is buttressed by institutional change too. An example highlighted is the new Master of Science in Psychology programme offering Asia’s first master’s specialisation in thanatology – the study of dying, death and bereavement – that will commence in August at NTU. Prof Andy Ho, provost’s chair in psychology at NTU, says: “Our goal is to be able to train competent, compassionate and capable mental health professionals who can work in the community, hospices, hospitals and even the homes of people to provide mental health, psychological and grief support to those who are facing death and bereavement.” The programme, which has an expected intake of around 40 students, has received close to a hundred applications from applicants as far away as the US. Applicants need to have an undergraduate degree in psychology or social science-related fields. This, coupled with the groundup initiatives led by several young Singaporeans, is why Prof Ho is optimistic about society’s ability to shrug off old taboos. “To really effect cultural change, it needs to be a concerted effort from all facets of society, including young people who have the creativity and drive to convey those messages,” he says.

Click here to read the article.

- View previous coverage of new psychology Master’s programme initiated by CCO.