The Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum in all primary and secondary schools in Singapore will see an enhanced focus on mental health.

This new initiative was announced by Education Minister Ong Ye Kung during the Committee of Supply debates on Wednesday (March 4).

Will be rolled out progressively from 2021

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has clarified that the new CCE curriculum will be progressively rolled out from 2021.

In his speech, Ong explained that the current CCE lessons in schools are already equipping students with socio-emotional competencies.

However, the new curriculum will strengthen one important aspect: peer support.

Peer support structures

Second Minister for Education Indranee Rajah highlighted the importance of fostering a peer support culture within a wider ecosystem comprising teachers, counsellors and external professionals.

Some schools, such as Bukit Merah Secondary School, have already introduced the new peer support structures.

Indranee quoted an example of a Bukit Merah Secondary student who was trained to be a peer support leader.

He was then partnered with a troubled student who was frequently absent from school due to his gaming addiction.

The peer support leader ended up playing an important role by being a supportive, encouraging and understanding friend:

"The smallest, simplest gestures can make a difference. Anyone can do it. That’s what makes peer support so powerful."

MOE hopes to establish the peer support structures in all schools by 2022.

Peer support programmes have also been put in place in the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).

Enhancing mental health education

On Tuesday (March 3), Workers' Party's Daniel Goh filed a Committee of Supply cut suggesting that mental health education in schools be strengthened.

Goh explained:

"It is not just that the stress of school work creating anxieties and problems with self-worth. But young people are also caught up in social relationships and search for identity in the setting of schools."

Indranee addressed this point in her speech, stating that MOE will also enhance the mental health education in the new CCE curriculum.

This curriculum will help students understand common mental health issues, when and how to seek help and support, as well as develop empathy and care towards people with mental illnesses.

Schools will also explicitly teach students how to maintain their well-being as well as recognise signs of mental distress.

Additional support for those struggling with mental health issues

Indranee, however, noted there will still be a small number of students who struggle with mental health issues.

For these students, additional support by professionals is needed.

To help identify these students, teachers in schools and class advisors in IHLs are trained to pick up distress signs.

They are also trained to reach out to students who are facing difficulties and refer them to a counselling professionals in schools if necessary.

Students assessed by counsellors to have more serious mental health issues will then be referred to external professionals for further clinical assessment and intervention.

Indranee said:

"With stronger mental health education and peer support cultures, students will also be able to look out for one another, and seek guidance from teachers and counsellors if they notice that a friend is struggling."

Top image from MOE/FB.