Warning Signs

• Difficulties in daily functioning (personal appearance, sleep, eating, class attendance)
• Significant changes in behavior, mood and personality

1. 1. Exceptionally irritable or elevated mood
   2. Risky/ impulsive decision-making
   3. Disorganized thinking and behavior
   4. Difficulty concentrating; noticeably rapid or slowed speech
   5. Obsessive thoughts and compulsive routines

• Strong anxiety or panic attacks
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Delusional or paranoid beliefs
• Significant weight loss/ gain, change in eating patterns, or over-exercise
• Self-harm, morbid talk, morbid thoughts
• Unexplained cuts, scars, burns or bruises
• Low confidence / strong aversion to certain social situations / fear of interactions with certain individuals in the community

How Can You Help

• Approach them and ask if they have sought help
• Talk with them; encourage them to seek further support if distress is prolonged and negatively affecting one’s functioning
• Refer them to Director/USP and Master Cinnamon College, RF, pastoral admin

Emergency ambulance Services

If there is a medical emergency, dial 995 to call for an SCDF ambulance. Examples of emergency:

• Poisoning e.g. inhalation of toxic gases or drug over dose resulting in unconsciousness and respiratory distress
• Difficulty in breathing or choking
• Sudden or severe chest pain
• Injuries, deep cuts or wounds with profuse bleeding
• Unconsciousness

1777 Non-Emergency Private Ambulance Operators

Psychiatric emergencies (such as disturbed or suicidal behaviours) tend not to fall under the usual emergency list if there are no associated medical issues. However some private ambulances are able to assist families in transporting the persons to hospitals for psychiatric assessment and treatment. 
The number to call is 1777.

Useful Telephone Numbers and Websites

Home away from Home

Cinnamon College should be a place of safety, support and nurturing – physically as well as emotionally. If you are experiencing any stress, whether personal or academic, please make use of the available support. Approach a friend, or if you need more formal support, there are other options:

Who can you approach?

Not necessarily in this order: your Resident Assistant (RA), or any RA, your or any Residential Fellow (RF), a faculty member in whose class you are, USP pastoral admin, NUS support services. You can make walk-in appointments directly at NUS’s University Counselling Services (UCS). Please see the pocket-size telephone number card for useful contacts.

Preventive Care

If you know or believe that you are at risk (e.g. have eating problems, suffer from depression, are prone to self-harm), please consider telling your RF about this. We have had success in the past with providing preventive support for students who feel fragile and in need of a little extra support.

It's getting too much

Please discuss your options with faculty or an RF. You may take a leave of absence or drop a course. It is NOT failure to change your plans, to change direction, or even to drop out of a course. These are options that allow for short-term stress relief, and prevent an everything or nothing scenario.

Look after yourself

For good physical and mental health, it is important that

• You get enough sleep
• You live a balanced life: get out, meet friends, exercise, or go for walks
• Eat well

Finally, we are planning workshops around issues regarding sexual respect, and will be sending out invitations for applications.

NUS Wellness

Visit NUS Wellness for more information: http://www.nus.edu.sg/uhc/activities/all-events

For NUS University Counselling Services, you may visit: http://www.nus.edu.sg/uhc/services/mental-health/student