The Rooms Left Behind is a recreation of the bedrooms of three young Singaporeans whose lives were tragically lost to suicide. Brought to life through the memories of their families, these intimate spaces offer a poignant glimpse into the lives and legacies of these beloved young people.
The exhibition will run from 24 to 30 June at Wisma Atria shopping mall in Singapore. By entering the recreated rooms, visitors will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the real-world stories behind these numbers and the devastating ripple effect they have had on the families left behind.
Complementing the physical exhibit is a microsite featuring virtual replicas of the rooms, allowing online visitors to explore these spaces and delve into the personal stories of the individuals behind the rooms. The microsite also provides information about mental health resources and how to seek help through Youthline’s services, including a live mental health helpline and free counselling.
Valerie Lim, co-founder of Please Stay, said: “Talking about suicide can be heartbreaking and difficult. However, meaningful conversations are necessary to expose and dispel the fear of suicide among the general public. More importantly, to build collective compassion and break down the stigma faced by bereaved families. ‘The Rooms that Remain’ is an open platform that offers a safe way to broach the topic of suicide. Through these living spaces, we are invited to appreciate the lives of young people who have sadly lost their lives to suicide. Here we can reflect and discover how mental health affects us all and ultimately, we have a shared responsibility to look out for each other.”
Mr Mark Khoo, chairman of Youthline, said: “With the alarmingly high rate of youth suicide in Singapore and the increasing proportion of distressed young people, there is a need for greater awareness, support and collaboration across the community. Our goal is to provide a listening ear and effective support to distressed young people as early as possible – and we aim to do so in the most accessible way. By creating a safe, non-stigma-free space for young people to address their distress, we hope to prevent mental health issues before they become serious, and move one step closer to a future where no young people feel alone.”
The “Room Left Behind” exhibition will be attended by Singapore’s Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, Eric Chua.
The initiative is supported by several partners including The Merry Men Works, whose mission is to create experiential spaces for meaningful encounters and who plays a key role in bringing the rooms to life. Additionally, New Charis Movers offers reliable packing services to help families sort through the loss of loved ones.
Meet the people behind the room:
- Elizabeth Powells (2000-2019): A warm and bubbly child, Elizabeth brought sunshine and laughter to those around her. She had a deep love for animals and was an active member of her local parrot club.
- Zeng Dylan Ko (2000-2018): Zeng shared a special and close bond with his parents, who in his memory founded the Zeng Dylan Ko Foundation, which provides free therapy to underprivileged youth and supported Zeng’s dream of becoming a psychologist and helping others.
- Mitchell Ann (2001-2018): A bright, kind-hearted boy, Michael overcame his learning disabilities to persevere and make his parents proud with his accomplishments. He enjoyed fishing, basketball, and displayed a calm, fun-loving personality.
