Forum: Strengthening everyday support systems key to good mental health
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We welcome Health Minister Ong Ye Kung’s plan to realign resources and place greater emphasis on the prevention of mental health issues (MOH realigning resources with focus on mental health, tackling tech impact on youth, April 24). This is a critical and timely shift.
One of the most effective ways to prevent escalation is by strengthening the support ecosystems we live in: families, schools, workplaces and communities. Without supportive people and organisations around an individual, we risk leaving them to navigate mental health challenges alone. When these ecosystems are strong, individuals are better able to cope, with the assurance that they are not facing their struggles in isolation. This, in turn, reduces the likelihood of issues escalating into crises.
All of us exist within such ecosystems. We have relatives, friends and colleagues who can play a vital role in supporting one another through difficult periods, often before situations deteriorate further.
To enable this, we must equip these ecosystems with the right knowledge, training and skills in mental health. These include helping individuals recognise early signs of distress and respond with appropriate support. At the same time, these ecosystems must themselves be resourced – with tools for self-care, coping strategies and access to support networks – so that they can sustain this role over the long term.
By strengthening the environments around each person, we move closer to a society where mental health is a shared responsibility, and where no one has to journey alone.
Tim Oei
Chief Executive Officer
Mindfull Community
