Guide To Mental Health Resources In Singapore
Struggling with your mental health but reluctant to seek professional help because of the potential financial toll? Don't worry; free support is available. Here's a list of them.
According to a nationwide study conducted by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), 1 in 7 Singaporeans have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime. However, due to inadequate insurance coverage and high treatment costs, many Singaporeans are financially unable to seek help. A member of the public even had to starve to afford treatment. Thankfully, due to the coronavirus pandemic, there’s been growing awareness of the issue – and today, the government and non-profit organisations have stepped up to roll out a series of free initiatives aimed at removing the financial barriers Singaporeans face in seeking treatment.
Call These Helplines For Emotional And Psychological Support
| Organisation | Contact Information | About |
|---|---|---|
| Institute of Mental Health | 6389-2222 | A 24 hours helpline for all mental health-related help. |
| Singapore Association for Mental Health | 1800-283 7019 | A helpline for all mental health-related help. |
| Care Corner Counselling Centre | 1800-353 5800 | A Mandarin counselling helpline |
| Tinkle Friend (by Singapore Children’s Society) | 1800–274 4788 | A helpline and chat-line for primary school children (Mon to Fri, 2.30pm to 5pm) |
| AWARE | 1800-777 5555 | A helpline for women |
| Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) | 1800–221 4444 | A 24-hour suicide prevention helpline |
If you’re in urgent need to talk to someone about what you’re experiencing, there are plenty of free helplines that’ll get you the emotional help you need. This is particularly suitable for you if you’re not comfortable discussing your situation in a face-to-face setting. Counsellors will be able to listen to your problems – and help you work out possible solutions; it's a quick way for you to feel in control of a situation (i.e. that you're not entirely helpless). And, wherever necessary, the counsellors will be able to direct you to a network of community resources, including social service agencies, which can provide specialised help on a more prolonged basis.
Many of these helplines are available on a 24 hours basis. Pick one that’s most aligned to your needs; for example, AWARE for women; Care Corner Counselling Centre for mandarin-speakers; and Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) for suicidal thoughts.
Approach Non-Profit Organisations For Free Face-To-Face Counselling
| Organisation | Contact Information | About |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Ribbon Singapore | 6386-1928 (H.O.L.A. at Serangoon Central) 6509-0271 (The Linkage at (Wisma Geylang Serai) 6385-3714 (Raintree Sanctuary at Hougang St 51) |
Free basic counselling services in person. Weekdays only, from 9am to 5pm. Appointments required. |
| Family Life Society | 9126 9086 or 9838 1757 | Focuses on pregnancy and parenting counselling, they also support those struggling with personal and family issues.
Has volunteer-counsellors who offer free counselling services at 10 Catholic churches in Singapore. |
| Wesley Methodist Church | 6336 1433 | Explicitly states that it offers non-religious counselling as well. |
If you prefer to seek help face-to-face, there are several options available for you. Many churches and other religious organisations have volunteers who help with counselling. So, if you're a Christian, approach your church and see what they have to offer. Of course, this option might be problematic if you practice another religion – but, to be frank, there's often no harm to see what they have to offer. Plus, many of these also explicitly state that they will help those who need it, no matter their religion.
A good example of this is the Wesley Methodist Church, which explicitly states that it offers non-religious counselling. Still not comfortable with that prospect? There's also the Silver Ribbon Singapore organisation, which offers free basic counselling services.
Singapore Psychological Society Provides A List Of Therapists Who Offer Free Services
Think you might be struggling with a mental disorder? You're not only limited to free mental health help from volunteers – there are plenty of professionally-trained psychiatrists who're willing to do pro-bono work in Singapore. You can thank the Singapore Psychological Society for that; local professionals met the organisation’s rallying call for psychologists to offer therapy at a discounted rate during the ongoing pandemic with strong enthusiasm last year. More than 36 psychologists and/or psychological services have since stepped forward to offer help. While these services are typically meant to be a short-term arrangement (approximately 6 sessions), many psychologists have indicated their willingness to discuss pro bono work – depending on specific situations.
Find Support From Local Youth-Led Social Media Accounts
There is also a large online space dedicated to youths who'd prefer to work out their emotions with peers. Given that mental health education is still lacking in educational institutions (although work is being done to rectify this), these relatable social media posts can help them find comfort and better understand what they’re facing, be it anxiety, depression, or suicidal tendencies.
Take Mental Health Days To Recharge And Feel Better
With Covid-19 travel restrictions preventing Singaporeans from going overseas for leisure, you may be in serious need of a break. Clear your annual leave and take some time off to recharge and relax right in Singapore. Have fun with daycation packages, or act like a tourist right on our sunny island!
Author: This article is contributed by ValueChampion.