PANEL CONVERSATION

The Shadow Of Childhood Trauma

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ABOUT

“What constitutes trauma and who gets to decide?”
“Is trauma synonymous with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?”
“How do I know if I had experienced/am experiencing clinical trauma?”

The word “trauma” and “PTSD” have gained internet popularity in recent years as people increasingly (and casually) use them to refer to general distressing events. Beyond its clinical definition, “trauma” now appears to have taken on new social meanings. While such a trend can increase awareness of trauma-in-general, its unintended trivialisation of clinical trauma may prevent individuals from realistically empathising with those struggling with it. In fact, adverse childhood experiences can take a significant toll on the mental and physical health of individuals – especially when they are not treated and intervened timely.

In this panel conversation, we will share about the various forms of trauma and how they are diagnosed clinically. We will examine the social construction of “trauma” (especially in today’s digital age) and understand its potential implications. The panel will also discuss the psychological and physical manifestations of clinical trauma, and how to reach out to those struggling with it.

IVY TSE

Ivy is the Chief Executive Officer of Halogen Foundation Singapore. Prior to taking the position of CEO in 2015, she served as Chief Operating Officer and Events Executive for 2.5 years. She led the running of the charity’s flagship National Young Leader Day, launched the annual National Young Leader Award and the Halogen Internship Programme. Since becoming CEO, Ivy has focused her efforts on the charity’s strategic direction and initiatives, partnerships and fundraising, as well as talent development within the team.

She was formerly part of a multi-national corporation where her responsibilities included piloting new product initiatives and handling supply chain management issues across Asia, Australia, India, Japan and Korea. Outside of Halogen, Ivy sits on the Advisory Board of My Working Title, NewYork.sg, GEMS Academy and is also a member of the Social Development Network Council. She is also part of the INSPIRIT community led by the National Youth Council which seeks to empower youths to advocate for youths.

Ivy is a Global Merit Scholar from the National University of Singapore and holds a Double Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, both with Honours. She was awarded the NUS Business School Eminent Business Alumni Awards, Young Alumni Award in 2016.

JEMI CHEN

Jemi is a principal psychologist and Deputy Head of the Psychosocial Trauma Support Service at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. She has 16 years of experience working with children, and currently works with children and youth who have been through stressful life experiences and trauma.

In her work, Jemi provides psychological intervention for children and youth with trauma-related difficulties, and provides supervision and consultation to practitioners in evidence-based trauma interventions. Jemi conducts trainings for professionals in the hospital, social service sectors and schools, to help with capacity building of trauma support for children and youth. She was also team lead in the development of Be the LIGHT, a local crisis support model for children who have experienced crisis and traumatic events.

CLARA C.

Suicide is a form of self-inflicted violence and witnessing a suicide can be very traumatic. Both Clara and her mother, Nancy, witnessed suicide deaths of a parent; while Clara sought help to address her confusion and anger, her mother’s trauma was never treated nor addressed and it resulted in serious consequences.

Throughout Clara’s childhood, Nancy was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Nancy attempted suicide multiple times and had to be warded at the Institute of Mental Health frequently. Clara grew up in an environment where there was little or no nurturing and as a result, had to learn to deal with her feelings in her attempt to develop her own survival tactics. One morning during Clara’s teens, she found Nancy lifeless and called the paramedics, who arrived at the scene and pronounced Nancy dead.

Years later, she discovered that once she was no longer living with an active schizophrenic parent, these survival tactics she learned in her youth no longer served her well. With the help and support she has received from mental health professionals, Clara built resiliency from her struggle with trauma and built a career in the innovation industry. With over two decades of energy and struggle, she found a new sense of personal growth.

Today, she appreciates new possibilities in life and credits the childhood trauma experience for increasing her strength of character by forcing her to stay open to new experiences and reconsidering her belief system.

CAYDEN WOO

Cayden has been in the social service sector for 12 years. He is currently heading Sunbeam Place @ Children’s Society, a residential care service for children who have been abused, severely neglected, or face severe family crises. Prior to this, he was involved in the Safe and Strong Families Reunification program, residential case work, family service centre case work and prison aftercare work.

He is passionate in working with children, young persons and their caregivers, and has strong interest in child developmental trauma and in developing a trauma-informed care milieu. Cayden has a Master of Social Work and is an ACTA certified trainer. He has run trainings for various Social Service Agencies and MOE Schools.

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