This article explores the societal pressures faced by aspiring artists in Singapore, highlighting the prevalence of the 'starving artist' stereotype and its impact on mental health. It features Dorcas Tang, a young artist who struggled with depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder due to the demands of her architecture studies, chosen as a compromise between passion and practicality.
"You'll never be rich if you become an artist." Sound familiar? For many aspiring creatives in Singapore , this phrase is all too common. The "starving artist" stereotype is still deeply ingrained in society, reflecting the persistent stigma — both social and familial — against pursuing the arts as a career. Some people end up in more "practical" fields, while others reduce their creative passions to mere hobbies.
In 2022, then-President Halimah Yacob introduced BTL 2.0, along with the BTL Collective - a collaboration of partners from the public, private, and community sectors working to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for those with mental health challenges. NCSS leads BTL 2.0 alongside Touch Community Services.
Yet, the pursuit of a creative career in Singapore comes with its own set of societal pressures and stigmas. The "starving artist" stereotype looms large, pushing many to choose more "practical" paths. "Things got so bad that I started skipping school and almost got debarred," she says. The academic pressures compounded by a high-achiever mentality led to severe burnout.
"I had to drag myself to the polyclinic to get MCs for missing class or needing assignment extensions," Dorcas says. In her journey to recovery, Dorcas found solace in journalling. "Journalling has helped me immensely in gaining clarity in my thoughts," she says.
Singapore Art Mental Health Stigma Depression Anxiety
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Breaking the stigma: From mental health challenges to artistic fulfilmentWarning: This article makes mention of depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, and suicidal feelings. 'You'll never be rich if you become an artist.' Sound familiar? For many aspiring creatives in Singapore, this phrase is all too common.
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