How to Find Mental Health Support in Singapore: A Young Adult's Guide
- Redwood Psychology Team
- Aug 12
- 10 min read
Are you struggling with your mental health? Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for support in Singapore?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Singapore has built an extensive network of mental health resources specifically for young adults facing emotional challenges. More than 80 Community Outreach Teams provide basic emotional support across the island. Specialised services like TOUCHline offer dedicated mental health support for young people. Help is closer than you might realise.
Whether you need immediate crisis support through 24-hour helplines like Samaritans of Singapore (1-767 or 1800 221 4444) or someone to listen during difficult moments, Singapore's mental health support system offers options for every situation. Meanwhile, mindline.sg provides free resources to help you understand and manage your emotional wellbeing.
This guide will show you the various mental health support services available in Singapore. We'll explore how to access them based on your specific needs and provide practical steps to help you move through the system with confidence.
Finding help should never add to your stress. We're here to make the process clearer and more manageable for you.
Understanding Your Mental Health Support Options
Knowing what mental health services are available in Singapore helps you make informed decisions about your care. The options may seem extensive, but understanding the differences between services empowers you to choose what fits your needs best.
Counselling and Psychotherapy vs. Helplines
Mental health support comes in two main forms, each designed for different situations:
Counselling and Psychotherapy are usually offered by psychologists and counsellors. Psychologists (with master’s or doctoral degrees in clinical or counselling psychology) can assess and diagnose mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and personality disorders. Both psychologists and counsellors (with master's degrees in counselling or related fields) provide counselling and psychotherapy to address challenges like stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, and career concerns. Depending on the complexity of the challenge, counselling and psychotherapy can run for weeks to years.
Helplines provide immediate crisis support and urgent assistance. National hotline, mindline.sg (1771) offers round-the-clock support through telephone, WhatsApp (+65-6669-1771), and online webchat. Specialised helplines, such as Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) offers 24/7 hotline (1767), WhatsApp text support (91511767) and email (pat@sos.org.sg) also exist for suicide concerns. For longer term support, the hotlines will refer callers to counselling and psychotherapy if relevant.
Cost considerations for mental health services
Mental health service costs vary significantly across Singapore:
Government-subsidised services at public health institutions offer up to 80% subsidies for inpatient treatment and up to 75% for outpatient care at polyclinics and public specialist clinics. Many social service agencies receive full government funding with no costs to you. Government hospital or non-profit counselling ranges from SGD 50 to SGD 90 per session, after subsidies.
Private clinic services typically cost between SGD 150 and SGD 300 per hour.
Financial support options include:
Medisave coverage for chronic mental health conditions (schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, and anxiety)
MediShield Life coverage for inpatient psychiatric care up to SGD 214.73 per day for up to 60 days per policy year
MediFund as a safety net for Singaporeans who cannot afford treatment despite subsidies
Choosing between in-person and online support
The pandemic accelerated the growth of online mental health services. Both in-person and online support methods offer distinct benefits and both formats are effective when used appropriately.
Online support makes therapy accessible from your own space. This works particularly well for people with mobility challenges, chronic conditions, or busy schedules. Singapore's mental health apps market reached SGD 9.99 million in 2023 and is expected to grow to SGD 27.88 million by 2030.
In-person sessions allow deeper therapeutic connections through face-to-face interaction and non-verbal communication. Many people find that meeting in a dedicated therapeutic space outside their home or workplace creates a more focused and safe environment.
Hybrid approaches that combine both methods are becoming increasingly popular, offering flexibility and personalised care. Your choice depends on your preferences, lifestyle, comfort with technology, and the nature of your concerns.
Understanding these service types helps you select options that align with your specific needs and circumstances.
Finding the Right Support for Your Specific Needs
Different life stages bring distinct mental health challenges. The right specialised support can make all the difference in your journey toward better wellbeing.
Mental Health Support for Students
Singapore schools have established comprehensive mental health support systems to help students thrive. Mental Health Education lessons are integrated into the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum, giving students basic mental health awareness and emotional regulation skills. This foundation helps students recognise when normal stress becomes more serious that requires professional intervention.
Students facing mental health challenges can access the Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health (REACH) program. REACH works directly with schools and families to provide specialised interventions:
Depression management
Anxiety support
Anger management techniques
Social skills development
Your school counsellor serves as your first line of support during times of distress. Polytechnics and universities offer both scheduled appointments and crisis services for their students. Nanyang Polytechnic provides crisis support at 6550 0123 during office hours. Ngee Ann Polytechnic offers round-the-clock crisis support at 6460 6777.
Support for Young Adults
Are you between 16 and 30 years old? The Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT) provides personalised mental health assessments in a safe, inclusive environment. Their online messaging platform, webCHAT, has conducted approximately 3,100 counseling sessions for youth mental health concerns as of March 2024.
Care Corner INSIGHT delivers fully-subsidised counselling services specifically for youths aged 13-25 . Their evidence-based approach includes:
Mental health screening to identify early warning signs
Individual therapy using proven methodologies
Group therapy sessions
Family interventions when needed
Community-based support reaches thousands of young people across Singapore. Eight CREST-Youth teams have connected with over 98,000 youths and parents. Four Youth Integrated Teams (YITs) have supported more than 4,500 youths and parents as of March 2024. These services come fully funded by the government with no out-of-pocket costs.
Support for Family and Relationship Challenges
Family and relationship difficulties require specialised care. FAM@FSC (Strengthening Family Programmes @ Family Service Centres) offers counselling for parents, couples, and families facing relationship challenges. These services help you:
Understand the sources of conflict
Work through relationship issues systematically
Strengthen communication patterns
Process emotions related to family stress
Care Corner's family counselling services address various relationship concerns - from marriage adjustment to divorce transition and co-parenting challenges. Through open dialogue, they help family members understand conflict roots and develop healthier communication patterns.
Relationship counselling for couples addresses specific issues like communication breakdowns, rebuilding trust after infidelity, and reconnecting emotionally.
The right support exists for your specific situation. Finding it often means understanding which service matches your current needs and life circumstances.
Accessing Mental Health Support
Singapore provides multiple ways to access mental health support. The right channel can make your help-seeking experience more comfortable and effective.
Hotlines for Immediate Support
When you need urgent assistance, hotlines offer immediate connection to trained professionals. The National mindline.sg 1771 serves as Singapore's first round-the-clock mental health helpline, launched in June 2025. The Institute of Mental Health operates this service in Singapore's four official languages.
Additional hotlines include:
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): 1-767 or 1800 221 4444 (24-hour crisis support)
TOUCHline for youth: 1800-377-2252 (Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm)
Care Corner Mandarin counseling: 1800-3535-800 (10am-10pm daily)
Brahm Center's Assistline: 6655 0000 (9am-6pm weekdays)
For severe emotional distress, IMH provides 24-hour Emergency Services with an Observation Ward offering up to 23 hours of treatment and monitoring.
Text and Online Chat Options
Some people find writing easier than speaking during difficult moments. National mindline 1771 accommodates this preference through WhatsApp support (+65 6669 1771) and online webchat at mindline.sg. SOS provides CareText via WhatsApp (9151 1767) for 24-hour emotional support.
Youth-focused text services include:
CHAT's webCHAT platform for ages 16-30
Hear4U by CARE Singapore: 6978 2728 (Monday to Friday via WhatsApp)
Walk-in Support and Community Services
Community Outreach Teams (CREST) operate over 80 teams nationwide, identifying mental health needs and providing basic emotional support. These government-funded teams require no out-of-pocket costs.
Community Intervention Teams (COMIT) deliver counselling and case management through qualified mental health professionals. The Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT) offers specialised mental health assessments for youth aged 16-30.
Singapore continues expanding mental health services to all polyclinics and 900 additional GP clinics. This network connects health, social, and community care providers to support individuals on their mental health journey.
Taking Your First Steps Forward
Taking your first step toward professional mental health support starts with knowing how to work within Singapore's healthcare system effectively. With the right approach, scheduling and attending your first counselling session becomes a straightforward process.
Finding the right counsellor or psychologist for you
Start by identifying what kind of support you need. The Singapore Association for Counselling and the Singapore Psychological Society maintains a directory of professionals specialising in different areas - anxiety, trauma, family issues, and many others. You can search based on your specific concerns.
Consider whether you prefer subsidised services. For government-subsidised rates at institutions like the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), you'll need a referral letter from a polyclinic or CHAS-registered GP clinic if you're a CHAS cardholder. Many private practices and social service agencies accept direct bookings without referrals.
Youth aged 16-30 have access to the Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT), which offers confidential mental health checks without requiring referrals. Their qualified mental health professionals can recommend appropriate professional help based on your specific needs.
Booking your appointment
Once you've identified a suitable provider, booking typically involves calling directly, using online forms, or mobile apps. Hospitals like Singapore General Hospital offer appointment management through their Health Buddy app or via email.
Before your appointment, gather these essential items:
Identification documents (IC, passport, or birth certificate for those under 12)
Medical benefit documents if applicable (Civil Service Card, staff card, insurance etc.)
Referral letter if seeking subsidised care
To make the most of your first session, take time to reflect on your concerns. Write down your reasons for seeking help and changes you hope to see. This preparation helps your counsellor or psychologist understand your situation and makes the session more productive.
After your first session
You might feel emotionally exhausted after your initial consultation, especially if you've shared deeply personal information. This reaction is completely normal. Give yourself some quiet time afterward to process the experience and reflect on the session.
Your psychologist or counsellor will work with you to develop a treatment plan based on your specific needs. This may include scheduling regular sessions, suggesting exercises to practice, or recommending additional resources.
The therapeutic relationship builds over time. Evaluate how comfortable you felt with your therapist and whether you connected well with them. Sometimes finding the right therapist requires meeting with several professionals before discovering the best fit.
Building Your Mental Health Knowledge and Resilience
Professional help forms just one part of your mental health journey. Building ongoing mental health knowledge and community strengthens your resilience for long-term wellbeing. Here in Singapore, there are several resources to support your continued growth.
Mental Health Education and Workshops
Various organisations across Singapore provide structured programs to enhance your mental health understanding. CHAT delivers specialised workshops including Lifting Minds Empowering Lives which equips young people with skills to support distressed peers. TOUCH offers tailored mental wellness workshops covering stress management, mindfulness, anger management, and self-care.
For those working with young people, Silver Ribbon Singapore creates customised mental health literacy programs. These cover depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and dementia recognition. Such programs help you recognize warning signs and respond appropriately to mental health challenges in your community.
Digital Tools for Self-Care
Technology makes mental health support more accessible than ever:
mindline.sg provides self-assessment tools, audio guides, breathing exercises, and mindfulness resources
LumiHealth includes mental wellbeing challenges with stress management tips and mindfulness activities
Apps like Headspace, Finch, Wysa, and Calm offer meditation, mood tracking, and anxiety management support
These tools complement professional care by giving you resources to practice self-care between sessions and develop healthy daily habits.
Giving Back Through Volunteering
Volunteering creates benefits for both those who give and those who receive support. At IMH, volunteers befriend patients, organise activities, and help reduce the stigma around mental illness. SOS welcomes volunteers to provide anonymous emotional support to people in distress.
Research shows that volunteering keeps us connected with others. It provides support during difficult times and helps us recognise the positive aspects of our lives. Contributing to your community's mental health creates meaning and purpose while strengthening your own resilience.
GET STARTED ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY
Finding mental health support as a young adult in Singapore does not have to feel overwhelming. We've explored the extensive network of resources available to help you work through emotional challenges. There are many options for everyone here in Singapore – whether you prefer counselling and psychotherapy, or crisis helplines; government-subsidiwed services or private care; face-to-face sessions or online support.
Seeking help shows strength, not weakness. The first step might feel daunting, but the support systems we have discussed make getting help more accessible than ever. From school counsellors to CHAT assessments to relationship counselling, specialised support exists for your specific situation.
There are multiple ways to reach out – hotlines, text services, walk-in centers, and online platforms – mean you can connect in whatever way feels right for you. Finding the right support sometimes takes patience as you identify the professional who truly understands your needs.
Professional help is just one part of your mental health journey. Building resilience through workshops, self-care tools, and community involvement creates a strong foundation for ongoing wellbeing. Better mental health takes time and effort, but each step forward makes a difference.
Use this guide as your roadmap to move through Singapore's mental health landscape with confidence. Your mental health deserves attention, and quality support is available when you're ready to reach out.
Taking care of your mental wellbeing helps you live a healthier, happier and more meaningful life – and that journey can begin today.
Key Takeaways
Singapore offers comprehensive mental health support for young adults, from 24/7 crisis hotlines to specialised youth services, making help more accessible than you might think.
• Multiple access points available: Use mindline.sg 1771 for 24/7 support, CHAT for youth assessments (ages 16-30), or school counsellors for in-school help.
• Free government services exist: Over 80 Community Outreach Teams provide fully-funded support, with up to 80% subsidies available at public institutions.
• Choose your preferred format: Access support through hotlines, WhatsApp, online chat, in-person sessions, or walk-in community centers based on your comfort level.
• Prepare for your first session: Bring along ID documents, referral letters if needed, and write down your concerns beforehand to maximise the effectiveness of your appointment.
• Build long-term resilience: Supplement professional help with mental health workshops, self-care apps, and community volunteering to strengthen ongoing wellbeing.
The key is taking that first step—whether calling a hotline, booking an appointment, or simply exploring online resources. Your mental health journey can start today with the right support system already in place.
