Police apprehend 36-year-old man at 53 Sungei Kadut Loop under Mental Health (Care & Treatment) Act

Previously, another man was apprehended under the Mental Health Act at The Leo dormitory.

Sumita Thiagarajan| August 02, 2020, 10:56 PM

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) apprehended a man at 53 Sungei Kadut Loop earlier today (August 2) at 7:28am, after receiving a call for assistance.

The 36-year-old was apprehended under Section 7 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act, said the SPF in a statement.

53 Sungei Kadut Road is located within an industrial estate.

This follows another incident where a migrant worker was pulled back from a window ledge at The Leo two days ago (July 31).

He too was apprehended under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act.

Mental health concerns of migrant workers

According to local non-profit organisation ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) the migrant workers they are in contact with have expressed that they are currently facing anxiety in the dormitories.

Migrant worker dormitories have been locked down for several months now in order to test the workers and curb the spread of Covid-19. Testing of all workers in dormitories is expected to conclude by August 7.

According to IRR, the issues surfaced by the workers themselves include not knowing when they can leave their accommodation, claustrophobia, and the stress over job uncertainty and drawing their salary.

Migrant workers have also expressed anxiety to the non-profit over not knowing when they can see their families back home. The organisation also said that these workers worry over the well-being of their families.

No indication that he was in distress prior to the incident: MOM

In response to a media query from Mothership, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) responded that it is aware of an incident at 53 Sungei Kadut Loop where a worker harmed himself.

The dormitory operator and FAST team on site reacted quickly and treated his injuries, said MOM.

The worker is now in a safe and stable condition.

According to MOM's statement, the worker had no salary arrears, and his food and accommodation were provided for.

There was also no indication that he was in distress prior to the incident.

MOM also urged workers not to put themselves in harm's way.

If you know any migrant worker that needs assistance, here are some helplines:

Migrant Workers’ Centre 24-hour helpline: 6536 2692

MOM feedback form: www.mom.gov.sg/efeedback

Healthserve: 3138 4443

HOME Helpline for Migrant Workers: 6341 5535

TWC2 Helpline for Migrant Workers: 6297 7564

If you or anyone you know need someone to talk to, you can call these numbers for a listening ear:

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1800-221-4444

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

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

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Top image via Google Maps