15-year-old Eleanor faced bullying and academic struggles at school while coping with conflicts in her part-time job. Her family members were often busy with work and had no time for her. Overwhelmed by stress and a sense of isolation, Eleanor experienced suicidal thoughts and attempted to take her own life in March 2023. Fortunately, she was stopped by a passer-by. Eleanor received treatment at the Institute of Mental Health and in late March 2023, joined Supporting Youth in the Community (SYiNC), a programme run by TOUCH Mental Wellness to support youths with mental health conditions in the community.
Every fortnight, Eleanor would meet her SYiNC counsellor, Ms Savrina Shahi, who created a safe space for her to share her emotions and address various issues. They developed a safety plan for her suicide risk during a session, which Eleanor considered her biggest takeaway. Through counselling, Eleanor gained a better understanding of her relationships, improved in her interactions with others, and developed coping skills which significantly reduced her suicidal thoughts. She aspires to control her suicidal thoughts, cultivate positive relationships, and refine her communication skills which will be helpful for fulfilling her dream of becoming a bus mechanic or driver. Eleanor is currently part of a bus enthusiast club in Singapore and desires to get into the Automotive Engineering course at the Institute of Technical Education.