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The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has introduced a new initiative aimed at raising support and awareness for mental health.
The initiative, named #BetterTogether, hopes to spark a change in attitudes towards poor mental health by soliciting ideas for collective action and encouraging social media users to publish positive notes.
According to the PAP, 13.4 per cent of Singaporeans suffer from poor mental health.
1 in 5 youths reported poor or very poor mental well-being, the PAP notes.
"We believe that our society will be better when we recognise the crippling effects of mental health issues on any member of our community, and take collective action to make a change," reads a statement on the PAP's website.
PAP MPs express vulnerabilities
It was launched with an emotionally-tinged video featuring reflections from Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing, Minister of State for Education and Social and Family Development Sun Xueling, and Member of Parliament (MP) for Jalan Besar Wan Rizal Wan Zakaria.
"We get some very unkind comments online. They are attacks on us, our family," said Chan.
"They can really hurt."
Cutting between lines from all three politicians, the video painted a picture of how they sometimes experienced challenges to their mental health."There are moments where even a strong person has to nurse the wounds," said Wan Rizal, who has posed several questions related to mental health in parliament over his tenure as an MP.
"Let's be a voice of encouragement to each other. Let us build each other up," added Sun.
Video by Royston Tan
The video appeared to be directed by renowned Singaporean film-maker Royston Tan.
Chan said in his latest Facebook post that "filming this video was outside of my comfort zone".
However, he was surprised "how a personal chat with Royston Tan on mental health sparked such an intimate video".
National mental well-being office
During the 2022 Budget debates, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said that the Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-being was considering setting up a national mental well-being office.
Those who would like to take part in the #BetterTogether initiative can do so by:
- sharing a positive note on social media with the #BetterTogether hashtag
- looking for resources on MindSG
- sending ideas for collective action to [email protected]
More information on #BetterTogether can be found here.
Helplines:
If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:
SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767
Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (for primary school-aged children)
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Top image from PAP's website
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