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Love me tender

Ahead of Valentine's Day, a couple share their caregiving journey to combat the stigma of mental health conditions.

Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
Mr Jeremy Chan, a former IT professional, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2014 while caring for his sick mother, but has overcome it with the loving support of his wife, Madam Janet Lee. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
A montage of photographs showing the meals Madam Lee cooks for Mr Chan. They include roast chicken, apple pie, beef stew, curry puffs and paella. Food used to be just sustenance for Mr Chan until he met his wife. He now looks forward to every meal she cooks. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
As part of the journey to recovery, Mr Chan and his wife are still doing things together like they used to, such as running errands and going for walks. Madam Lee, a housewife, takes Mr Chan with her to the market or shops as well as for walks in the neighbourhood to keep him occupied. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
Madam Lee buying vegetables from a wet market in Bedok. The couple have a weekend morning routine that includes going to the market together. Food and cooking play an important part in their lives and such activities helped to keep Mr Chan going during the periods when he had depression. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
Mr Chan goes karting when he needs "alone time". He joins fellow enthusiasts at K1 Karting Circuit in Kranji. He says: "Recovering from mental health is like a race and a battle. I'm battling to race away from the raging fires of depression that want to consume me." ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
Mr Chan discussing work plans with his colleagues in their office. He works as a programme executive at a start-up called the Resilience Collective, which helps people understand mental health as well as those who struggle with it through workshops, public events and peer support groups. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
Mr Chan talking to a participant at the first Beyond The Label festival at Timbre+ last year. The event was held to encourage and support people recovering from mental health conditions, as well as to tackle the stigma of the illness. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
Mr Chan (second from right) and Madam Lee (third from right) praying at a monthly Bible study session at a friend's place. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Chan recounting his own journey at a storytelling project that uses photography and written narrative to share participants' stories of recovery as well as take a stand against the stigma of mental health conditions. Mr Chan talking to a participa
Mr Chan always carries a handkerchief in his pocket to wipe his tears as he still gets emotional when sad memories are triggered. There is no way to predict when this will happen. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
A silhouette of Mr Jeremy Chan (left) seen at work, a caregiver who in turn through the process of caregiving developed a mental health condition. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Jeremy Chan (left) and Madam Janet Lee say grace before their dinner at home on Feb 7, 2020. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Madam Janet Lee (in blue) gives a kiss to their god-grandson as she helps to take care of the five-month-old for her god-daughter, who has to work in the day. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Held by Madam Lee (in white), their 10-year-old pet shih tzu hangs on the door to bid farewell to Mr Chan as he heads off to work. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
As someone who used to race cars and loves the adrenaline that comes from speed, karting has become an alternative sport for Mr Jeremy Chan to relax and do when he needs his alone time. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Neo Xiaobin Executive Photojournalist
Updated
Feb 10, 2020, 03:03 PM
Published
Feb 10, 2020, 05:00 AM
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In 2014, Mr Jeremy Chan was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) causing severe clinical depression.

The root cause was the stress from caring for his 79-year-old mother, who died of a rare blood disorder in April that year.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 10, 2020, with the headline Love me tender. Subscribe

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