On 1 August 2025, Being Family was featured at the Duke-NUS Global Health Institute’s inaugural mental health film screening and panel discussion in Singapore, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and advocates to reflect on the role of storytelling in advancing family well-being.
Dr Amanda Sim, Co-Principal Investigator of the Parenting on the Thailand/Myanmar Border study, and Mary Soan, filmmaker and Director of the Sermpanya Foundation, presented the film, which highlights the challenges of delivering structured parenting programmes in low-resource settings. The story underscores the importance of early family-based interventions for children’s healthy development.
During the panel, Dr Sim shared findings from a randomised controlled trial showing that even a single film screening contributed to reduced physical punishment, stronger social support, and improved parenting practices.
Audience members described the experience as both moving and thought-provoking, noting how the blend of film and dialogue encouraged deeper reflection and sparked interest in continuing these important conversations.
Read the full recap and watch the video here, courtesy of Duke-NUS medical school.
Special thanks to Isang and the GPI Advocacy team for their invaluable support in making this milestone event possible.
