Elisabeth Pauwels seemed euphoric in the last two weeks of her life. With her adrenaline on full throttle, she went on shopping sprees and outings with her friends. The teenage artist was even designing new mugs actively for her online business. 

Her mother Mrs Liping Pauwels, 50, was helping Elisabeth place orders for those mugs on May 20, 2019, the day she died. So even though Elisabeth’s parents knew she was struggling with schizoaffective disorder, which occasionally caused her to suffer from psychotic episodes – where she would hit her head on the wall or scratch her skin till it bled – they were still shell-shocked when she took her life hours later. She was 18 years old.

Elisabeth’s story, as well as those of two other teenagers who also died by suicide, is featured in a new exhibition – The Rooms That Remain.

The public exhibition recreates the rooms of Elisabeth Pauwels, Zen Dylan Koh and Mitchell Ang. The physical exhibition features Zen’s room, while the accompanying microsite is of all three rooms.

Microsite visitors can see illustrations of each of the teens’ rooms, with the possessions that meant the most to them highlighted in their own sections. By clicking on these, website visitors can read snippets about the youngsters’ aspirations, hobbies and interactions with their loved ones.

Elisabeth’s room houses her desk, shark mouth bean bag, and her art corner, where she used to spend most of her time. 

Mitchell’s room features the things he used to enjoy the most – basketball and playing the guitar. The room includes his poster of Jessica Cox, the world’s first armless pilot, representing his lost dreams of becoming a motivational speaker. 

Zen’s room can be seen online and also at the physical exhibition, which shows an almost exact replica of his bedroom. Photographs of Zen from his family and friends dot the walls, accompanied by panels with pictures containing short stories and descriptions of memorable events in his life, which are tagged beside significant items – like his calculator, skateboards, trophies and scarf. His Geronimo Stilton and Star Wars books, together with his BTS album collection, line the shelves, offering passers-by a glimpse of the interests he had over the course of his 17-year life.  

An encouragement wall is set up at the corner of the room for visitors to leave Post-it notes with words of support for those who may be struggling.

The mothers of the featured teens told The Straits Times that they hope the exhibition and microsite will increase public awareness about youth suicide. They are all part of the PleaseStay movement, an initiative started by a group of mothers whose children died by suicide. It advocates support for suicide prevention efforts and awareness of mental health of young people in Singapore. PleaseStay partnered with Youthline, a charity providing youth mental health services, to launch the exhibition.  

Mrs Pauwels hopes that the intimacy of the exhibition with intricate details of the teenagers’ lives will show the public how these were real people, how they lived, and how they left.

She also has a message for all parents: “Even if your child doesn’t turn out as expected, please accept them for who they are. As long as they are happy, that’s good enough.”

Ms Elaine Lek, 59, the mother of Zen, said: “It is very necessary to have this exhibition that tears down the wall and put youth suicide and mental health out there.” 

Based on statistics from crisis intervention and support group Samaritans of Singapore, suicide is the leading cause of death of young people aged 10 to 29. Ms Lek stressed the importance of validating the pain that young people experience.

“It’s real and invisible,” she said. She hopes that this exhibition will encourage young people to voice their mental struggles.  

Similarly, Ms Ho Geok Lan, 55, whose son Mitchell suffered from depression, hopes that the exhibition will spur youth, teachers and counsellors alike to pay more attention to signs that someone is suffering from a mental health condition. Mitchell was 17 when he died.

“Depression is a very silent illness,” said Ms Ho. 

“But you don’t have to suffer alone.” 

The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 9pm till July 6 at Wisma Atria’s main atrium. The microsite is at https://theroomsthatremain.com

For more information, go to https://www.pleasestaymovement.com and youthline.sg

Helplines

Mental well-being

Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)

Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours)

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928

Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 

Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1

Women’s Helpline: 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

Counselling

TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252

TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555

Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180

Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

Online resources

moht.com.sg/mindline-sg

eC2.sg

www.tinklefriend.sg

www.chat.mentalhealth.sg

carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)

limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)