About – Shan You
About the Campaign

The Elephant in Our Community

The Elephant in Our Community is a signature public education campaign on mental health by Shan You. The metaphor of an ‘elephant in the room’ refers to an obvious problem that people do not want to talk about. Similarly, although mental health issues are prevalent in our community, talking about them is often shunned and avoided.

How we hope to make a difference:

  • Increase community awareness of mental health conditions and the treatments available.
  • Increase community awareness of suicide risks, early suicidal warning signs and the helping resources available.
  • Challenge the social stigma of mental health conditions in the community.
  • Empower individuals and families affected by mental health conditions to seek help and support.

The campaign aims to challenge the deeply-rooted social stigma of mental health conditions and highlight the consequences – many people do not talk about their mental health issues nor seek professional help, suffering in silence. Through innovative programmes and activities, the campaign hopes to raise awareness of the real-life experiences of persons living with mental health conditions and increase the understanding and acceptance of them in the community. We also hope to empower individuals and families facing mental health issues to seek support from their loved ones and help from professionals.

The campaign is carried out via a number of initiatives, including a dedicated online portal, weekend roadshows at community hubs and a roving series of exhibitions-cum-programmes organised in collaboration with community and grassroot partners.

Use our hashtag below to follow our activities and share Ellie’s stories:

#iamelliesg

#mentalhealthletstalk

Ellie, the Mental Health Elephant

Ellie, the Mental Health Elephant, is the official mascot for the Elephant in Our Community public education campaign.

Ellie represents the pain and struggles of all affected by mental health conditions, and their voices and hopes. She reminds us that persons affected by mental health issues live amongst us in the community.

In fact, all of us will be affected by mental health issues at some point in our lives. In many ways, Ellie represents each of us, and all of us.

Let’s acknowledge the Ellie in Our Community. Let’s talk about mental health. Let’s help Ellie.

DO YOU KNOW ELLIE?

  • Probably.
  • She is amongst us.
  • We may have ignored her,
  • Or judged her.
  • It’s time to stop and rethink.
  • She represents the pain and struggles
  • Of all affected by mental health conditions,
  • And their voices and hopes.
  • Let’s talk to Ellie.
  • Let’s help her.

Use our hashtag below to follow our activities and share Ellie’s stories:

#iamellie

#mentalhealthletstalk

Past Campaign Events

Mental Health, Let's Talk: Depression at Aliwal Arts Centre

26 May 2019

Elephant in the Community Campaign Roadshow 2018 at HDB Hub

7 October 2018

About Shan You

Shan You is a non-profit social service organisation set up in 1995 to provide professional counselling and social care services to the community, based on our guiding values of compassion, mindfulness, morality, and wisdom. Our services are available to all, regardless of race, religion and ability to pay.

Shan You is a registered society and a charity with the status of Institutions of a Public Character (IPC) and a full member of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). Shan You is supported by Community Chest and corporate and individuals donors.

We aim to be a renowned hub of excellence for mental health and community wellness services for the well-being of all. We strive to deliver accessible and effective services that enhance the mental and social well-being of individuals and families in the community. We are committed to build a compassionate and mentally healthy community where people are empowered to live good and meaningful lives.

The Campaign Sponsors

About Nirvana Memorial Garden

Established in 2009, Nirvana Memorial Garden is part of Malaysian conglomerate Nirvana Asia Group, a world-class, full-fledged bereavement care provider that boasts over two decades of experience in memorial park operations.

Nirvana encompasses the vision of modernization and globalization, without compromising on the importance of keeping pace with social needs. Through the deeply rooted Chinese funeral service industry, Nirvana enriches the fine quality of the Chinese bereavement culture through continuing the tradition of honour and reverence of ancestors by their descendants.

Nirvana lives by the “Caring for Life” philosophy. At Nirvana, you can always expect a pleasant experience during a pivotal moment through professional, detailed, comprehensive and well-acclaimed, one-stop-worry-free funeral services. Professionalism and quality of service are synonymous with our benchmarks that drive us towards excellence.

As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, Nirvana Memorial Garden is a corporate sponsor for this campaign.

About Tote Board

Established in 1988, Tote Board (Singapore Totalisator Board) is a statutory board of the Ministry of Finance. As a broad-based grantmaking organisation, Tote Board works closely with stakeholders and partners, to support broad and diverse worthy projects in the sectors of Arts, Community Development, Education, Health, Social Service and Sports. Through these projects, Tote Board helps to uplift the community by giving hope to vulnerable groups and improving the lives of all in Singapore.

Tote Board’s grants are derived from surpluses from the gaming businesses Singapore Pools (Private) Limited (a subsidiary company of Tote Board) and Singapore Turf Club (a proprietary club of Tote Board), as well as the collection of casino entry levies. Tote Board also ensures that Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club conduct their businesses in a socially responsible manner, so as to provide a safe and trusted avenue for gaming and to counter illegal gambling.

Tote Board’s goal is to help build a flourishing society in Singapore. We want to inspire positive change and contribute towards building an inclusive, resilient and vibrant community, while fostering a caring and compassionate nation.

This campaign is funded by a grant from the Tote Board Community Healthcare Fund.