PAP to train mental health ambassadors to better support mental well-being of women

Only 21 per cent of women early in their careers said they were comfortable speaking to their manager or human resources (HR) department about their mental well-being.

That is according to ‘The Women Across Life Stages’ survey by the PAP Women's Wing and NTUC Women and Family (WAF), conducted from Aug. 3 to 31 among 2,375 working women. Of the respondents, 224 were in the early-career group.

In comparison, half of the early-career respondents said they were comfortable seeking support outside work.

The PAP Women’s Wing will work with partners, including the Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Singapore, to organise

a series of health and well-being workshops to help women in need.

Together with the PAP Mental Health Group, PAP Mental Health Ambassadors at all PAP Branches will undergo training to strengthen their understanding of mental well-being issues commonly experienced by women.

This will help them better support women in the community, and connect them to appropriate resources if necessary.

What is stressing them

The findings were released on Sep. 26, 2026 at the party's annual Women's Wing Conference.

The conference, with the theme “Women Empowered”, brought together more than 400 activists, MPs, community partners and guests.

It was organised by Goh Hanyan and supported by Diana Pang, who are both PAP MPs, and respectively the Adviser and Head of the PAP Women’s Wing Health and Well-being advocacy team.

Stress and burnout

One in four early-career respondents reported that stress, anxiety, burnout or emotional strain affected their work significantly.

Among the factors contributing to stress at work, 47 per cent cited pressure to perform well, while 41 per cent pointed to heavy workloads or long hours.

PAP Women’s Wing Adviser (Research) Gan Siow Huang said, “Women should not have to struggle in silence or compromise their well-being to succeed at work."

Gan, who is also Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Foreign Affairs, said:

"Employers, managers and co-workers can take action to create workplaces that are more flexible, inclusive and responsive to women’s needs – from early-career stress and caregiving to motherhood and menopause – while fostering a supportive workplace culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive.”

The Women’s Wing identified three areas it would intensify its advocacy on: supporting early-career mental health, de-stigmatising the perimenopause and menopause experience, and driving greater workplace flexibility.

PAP Women’s Wing chairperson Sim Ann said the survey showed how women’s health concerns intersect with the workplace.

“Health and well-being, which remains central to the Women’s Wing’s advocacy efforts, is not a standalone issue,” Sim, who is also the Second Minister for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, said.

“The joint survey between the Women’s Wing and NTUC WAF shows how health concerns interact with the workplace and opens further conversations about the changes needed to support women in making their fullest contributions to society,” she added.

Mental health ambassadors in over 90 branches

The Women's Wing will work with the PAP Mental Health Group to equip mental health ambassadors across more than 90 PAP branches, with a basic knowledge of common mental health and well-being issues affecting women.

Goh, who is also the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community & Youth, as well as Sustainability & the Environment, said the initiative was intended to make PAP branches more supportive spaces for women.

“Ultimately, we want every PAP branch to be a safe and supportive space for our women,” Goh said. “

Somewhere they can find a listening ear, some initial support and, where needed, a link to the right help."

Goh said the initiative would begin in early 2027.

Workplace culture

Goh also spoke about the importance of workplace culture in supporting women’s well-being.

“A supportive culture should make room for honest conversations amongst employers and employees about wellbeing needs and should also recognise that caregiving responsibilities can change over time,” she said.

“After all, policies can only go as far as culture allows.”

The Women’s Wing will also work with organisations such as NTUC Women and Family to encourage employers to better support women’s health needs and caregiving responsibilities.

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Director for NTUC WAF, Yeo Wan Ling, said that NTUC Women and Family is proud to collaborate with the PAP Women’s Wing on the survey, which examines women across the different seasons of their lives, from

building careers and families to caregiving, menopause, and retirement.

Yeo, who is also an MP, said:

"The findings are clear: women need support systems that evolve with their changing needs. Flexible work arrangements remain important, but women must also feel confident using them without being seen as less committed.

As caregiving becomes more complex, we should also study the role of family-care leave alongside flexible work arrangements.

NTUC Women and Family will build on these findings and continue working with policymakers and employers to create more family-friendly and caregiver-inclusive workplaces, so women can remain and progress at work through every stage of life."

Workplace flexibility important to parents & caregivers

Among 912 respondents in the working-parenthood group, 61 per cent cited flexible work arrangements as one of the forms of workplace support most helpful to parents.

Another 46 per cent cited a supportive workplace culture, while 43 per cent selected flexible start and end times.

Among 819 respondents caring for loved ones, 68 per cent said flexible work arrangements would help ease the strain of caregiving.

Another 44 per cent pointed to understanding from supervisors and managers, while 43 per cent cited a supportive workplace culture.

For new mothers returning to work, 51 per cent cited having enough time to breastfeed or pump as helpful workplace support, followed by access to a private space at 50 per cent and flexible work arrangements at 42 per cent.

Sim Ann said workplaces should consider how they could better support women’s health needs, particularly given Singapore’s high female labour force participation rate.

Sim, the Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, said this could help more women continue to have productive and fulfilling careers for longer.

Only 1 in 10 say workplace open to discussing menopause support

Among 288 respondents experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms, three in five reported fatigue and half reported poor sleep.

Only one in 10 say their workplace was open to discussing support for women experiencing these symptoms.

Goh said the Women’s Wing will hold a talk on perimenopause on Dec. 5.

It will also work with the Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Singapore to organise a series of health and well-being workshops covering issues women may encounter at different stages of life, including mental well-being, fertility health, perimenopause and menopause.

“We want to help bring these conversations to the fore and recognise the realities of women going through it,” Goh said.