Foodservice Skills Rehabilitation Programme Graduation Ceremony

26 Nov 2004

By Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Parliamentary Secretary For Health

Venue: Institute of Mental Health

SPEECH BY DR MOHAMAD MALIKI BIN OSMAN,

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HEALTH

FOODSERVICE SKILLS REHABILITATION PROGRAMME GRADUATION CEREMONY,INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

26 NOVEMBER 2004

Mr Chris Chua, General Manager,

Janssen Cilag,

Mr Leong Yew Meng, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Mental Health

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1         A very good morning to you. I am honoured to be here this morning tograce the Graduation Ceremony for the four patients who have completedthe Foodservice Skills Rehabilitation Programme (FSRP).

2         In today's cosmopolitan Singapore,working is part of leading a normal life. On the practical side, wework so that we can get money to pay for all basic needs such as aroof over our heads and food on the table for ourselves and ourdependents. On the psychological side, it raises our self worth as wefunction as independent and contributing members of society.

3         Psychiatric patients are no different from anyone of us.They need work for the very same reasons. On top of that, work helps tode-stigmatise them and their families, and helps them to move rapidlyalong the road to recovery through aiding them to be sociallyfunctioning individuals and restoring their self-esteems.

4         To empower these individuals with the ability to lead normal lives, IMHhas developed the Foodservice Skills Rehabilitation Programme or FSRP,which trains patients with food service skills. Imust congratulate IMH for takingthings a step further by working with the Institute of TechnicalEducation (ITE) to provide the formal certification for FSRP.

5         To provide trainees of the programme with retail experience, Juiceworkswas created. Juiceworks is an in-house, self-sustaining juice andretail sandwich outlet managed by IMH's patient trainees. To determineif patients are suitable to undergo this 3-month course, they have tobe assessed by the doctors and the Occupational Therapists.

6         During the programme, the trainees acquire the skills necessary toprepare, serve and even sell food. Juiceworks provides patienttrainees an actual business setting for their training. It serves toprovide patients a transition point for pre-vocational assessment andexposure before they proceed to seek employment externally in thecommercial foodservice market.

7         This training will ultimately lead to the patients graduating with anITE certificate. I understand that the pioneerbatch of trainees have graduated with the ITE certificate. They haveentered the next phase any student who has just graduated willundergo; the job-hunt. They are now ready to meet the challenges of aFood & Beverage job in the world outside of the hospital's walls.

8         All this is part of the rehabilitation process that IMH takes to ensurethat their patients are able to re-integrate into society when theyare discharged from the hospital. Rehabilitation is a long process andcan be a complex and formidable task. It typicallyinvolves helping individuals with psychiatric disabilities to gain orimprove necessary skills and provides a level of support required bythe patients to obtain their simple goal of working, and living in thecommunity. It is a noble task and I applaud IMH fortaking the rehabilitation of patients one step further with thisprogramme and arming them with a skill to meet the challenges of the Singapore work force.

9         The challenge now is for others in the community to play their part infacilitating this reintegration process. I call onthe private sector operators of F&B services to open their doorsand welcome today's graduates and those who are to follow. Thepatients have proven themselves by successfully completing the course,with the added advantage of hands-on experience in JuiceWorks. It is now up to the community to respond and give them the chance toprove themselves.

10         These private sector organisations can follow the excellent examples ofothers who have given mental patients the opportunity to lead normalworking lives. These include Orchid growing farms, fish farms andcleaning companies. By providing these patients with employment, theemployers have helped the patients regain self-confidence andfinancial independence. This makes the individuals feel that they arecontributing to society and have earned the respect of their peerswhile the independence enhances their self-respect. Their quality oflife and the relationship with their family members have also vastlyimproved.

11         Once again allow me to congratulate the trainees on their graduation.The journey that you have travelled has been challenging and daunting,I am sure. But you have proven yourselves to besurvivors. My congratulations also to your family members whosesupport must have been critical in your recovery.

12         Allow me also to congratulate IMH for their innovativeness in providingsuch opportunities for their patients as part of their holisticrehabilitation programme. I am sure more innovativeideas will spring out of this experience.

13         We must continue our efforts at building a gracious society where everyindividual is recognised and respected for his abilities andpotential. Patients with psychiatric disabilities also have their ownpotential and I am sure they will be able to contribute significantlyto our community and country if we give them the chance.

14         Congratulations again and have a pleasant day.