A Guide for Single Mothers - NTUC

Stories From The HeartFrom The Brink And BackFloored to Ground Zero after her husband died, Clarissawhen her husband died in Chang (not her real name) also wanted2006, housewife Clarissato die.Chang became suicidal asshe faced up to the reality Her husband, 60, an engineer, hadof the loss and the prospect always taken care of the family’s needsof raising two young sons and managed the finances. Whenon her own.he died in 2006, Clarissa, 42, wasThanks to the help fromshattered. Not only did she have toher autistic son’s socialcope with the forever-parting of theworker and the CommunityRehabilitation and Support one man she loved, she was at a lossService (CRSS)*, she is now as how she would have to raise twoa part-time cashier with a young sons, the younger of whom hasmore positive view on life. special needs.By Geraldine SimPhotos by Alvin TohClarissa, who had primarilyfunctioned as a housewife, becameso overwehelmed by the suddenexpansion of her role as a singlemother that she lost control and spiralled into deepdepression. Instead of finding solutions to her problems,all she could think of was killing herself – and taking herchildren along with her.9*See Page 33 for information on CRSS.