[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/teachers-and-students-chime-in-on-revised-mental-health-support-measures-in-schools\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/teachers-and-students-chime-in-on-revised-mental-health-support-measures-in-schools\/","headline":"Teachers and students chime in on revised mental health support measures in schools","name":"Teachers and students chime in on revised mental health support measures in schools","description":"When news first broke of the tragedy at River Valley High School on 19 July, the nation was shaken to its core. In the days that followed, words of support and encouragement were offered, feelings were processed, and conversations sparked. Many raised concerns about the need for more resources and mental health support in schools, […]","datePublished":"2021-08-06","dateModified":"2022-04-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/Ming%20En%20Liew\/#Person","name":"Ming En Liew","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/Ming%20En%20Liew\/","identifier":132,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fe7a89455a989038349633329a6e4ad6299388f5e1e3ea83c28126090b2314f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fe7a89455a989038349633329a6e4ad6299388f5e1e3ea83c28126090b2314f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TheHomeGround Asia","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","width":640,"height":640}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1280X626-60-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1280X626-60-1.jpg","height":626,"width":1280},"url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/teachers-and-students-chime-in-on-revised-mental-health-support-measures-in-schools\/","video":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qIndwI7hzzI#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qIndwI7hzzI","name":"Live from Parliament: Chan Chun Sing ministerial statement on River Valley High School incident","description":"Minister of Education Chan Chun Sing gave a ministerial statement in Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 27) addressing concerns raised after the death of a 13-year-old River Valley High School student. A 16-year-old student was arrested for his murder and an axe was seized by police as a case exhibit.\n\nSince the incident, about 540 staff members and students from RVHS have sought psychological support from an emergency response post at the school, he said. https:\/\/cna.asia\/3zEWJeN\n\nNew measures will also be rolled out in the \u201cnear term\u201d to better care for the well-being of students in schools. https:\/\/cna.asia\/3zJMeqF\n\nMr Chan added that MOE will continue to update security measures in Singapore's schools in a \u201ctargeted\u201d manner, without losing the sense of \u201chomeliness\u201d of the school environment. https:\/\/cna.asia\/3zF0nW1\n\nSubscribe to our channel here: https:\/\/cna.asia\/youtubesub \n\nSubscribe to our news service on Telegram: https:\/\/cna.asia\/telegram\n\nFollow us:\nCNA: https:\/\/cna.asia\nCNA Lifestyle: http:\/\/www.cnalifestyle.com \nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/channelnewsasia\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/channelnewsasia\nTwitter: https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/channelnewsasia","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/qIndwI7hzzI\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/qIndwI7hzzI\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/qIndwI7hzzI\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/qIndwI7hzzI\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/qIndwI7hzzI\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2021-07-27T07:05:21+00:00","duration":"PT2H24M47S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qIndwI7hzzI","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC83jt4dlz1Gjl58fzQrrKZg#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC83jt4dlz1Gjl58fzQrrKZg","name":"CNA","description":"Welcome to the official CNA YouTube channel.\n\nBased in Singapore, CNA covers global developments with an Asian perspective. Come to us not just for the latest news, but also documentaries, expert analysis and stories behind the headlines.\n\nOur correspondents are based in major cities across Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing, as well as in New York, Washington D.C. and London.\n\nHit the subscribe button to be notified when we upload fresh news clips and documentaries on YouTube, or bookmark cna.asia for the top headlines, insightful reads and more videos.\n\nAnd tap on the Community tab and tell us what you\u2019d like to see more of! https:\/\/cna.asia","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_n00DzE39o-4IFJ07IP3gG__TMqKxXXbwYaARinwTXTDFM=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qIndwI7hzzI#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qIndwI7hzzI#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qIndwI7hzzI&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qIndwI7hzzI#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":136603}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qIndwI7hzzI#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":574}]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p4SgrueVVi8#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p4SgrueVVi8","name":"GE2020: WP\u2019s Jamus Lim shares how Singapore\u2019s education system is like a \u201cpressure cooker\u201d","description":"Despite Singapore\u2019s world-class education standards, there seems to be a lack of career satisfaction amongst graduates when they enter the workforce, says Workers\u2019 Party\u2019s Jamus Lim. Here\u2019s how he wants to tackle the problem.\n\n#SGGE #GE2020 #Singapore\n\n\n\n---\nRead more: http:\/\/www.asiaone.com\/\n\nFOLLOW us on \n- Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/asiaonecom\n- Twitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/asiaonecom \n- Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/asiaonecom\/ \n\nEMAIL: \nFor story leads, business enquiries, contact editor@asiaone.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p4SgrueVVi8\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p4SgrueVVi8\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p4SgrueVVi8\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p4SgrueVVi8\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p4SgrueVVi8\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2020-06-26T11:56:30+00:00","duration":"PT3M37S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p4SgrueVVi8","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCmq_fj_YJK2An94-Euehvkg#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCmq_fj_YJK2An94-Euehvkg","name":"AsiaOne","description":"Long-form journalism & explainers for a better understanding of Singapore.\n\nHave a story for us to look into? Reach us: cmpg@asiaone.com\n\n \n\n\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_n91JlYqLfHJW8KnYLah_gn7H24u8K5QuooDUhe0dojr3s=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p4SgrueVVi8#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p4SgrueVVi8#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p4SgrueVVi8&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p4SgrueVVi8#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":272122}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p4SgrueVVi8#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":3448}]}],"commentCount":"3","comment":[{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/teachers-and-students-chime-in-on-revised-mental-health-support-measures-in-schools\/#Comment1","dateCreated":"2026-05-02 00:16:57","description":"You\u2019ve got a new fan here!","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"racing tv live stream free","url":"http:\/\/nue01-cdn.myvideo.ge\/?server=https:\/\/www.oneotv.com\/&type=2"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/teachers-and-students-chime-in-on-revised-mental-health-support-measures-in-schools\/#Comment2","dateCreated":"2026-04-28 01:07:52","description":"Well explained and easy to follow.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Salomon gym shoes","url":"https:\/\/globalshoepalace.com\/product-category\/men\/Salomon-Men-Shoes"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/teachers-and-students-chime-in-on-revised-mental-health-support-measures-in-schools\/#Comment3","dateCreated":"2026-04-25 10:21:31","description":"Clear, concise, and effective.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Salomon lab shoes","url":"https:\/\/globalshoepalace.com\/product-category\/women\/Salomon-Women-Shoes"}}],"about":["Health & Wellness","Local","Singapore"],"wordCount":2212,"articleBody":"When news first broke of the tragedy at River Valley High School on 19 July, the nation was shaken to its core. In the days that followed, words of support and encouragement were offered, feelings were processed, and conversations sparked. Many raised concerns about the need for more resources and mental health support in schools, including President Halimah Yacob and the alumni of River Valley High School.\u00a0But while the recent incident has shone a spotlight on the need to safeguard the mental well-being of students, mental health struggles among students have been a longstanding concern.\u00a0Michelle Koay, a High School Counsellor at St. Joseph\u2019s Institution International, observes an increasing trend of depression and anxiety among students over the years.\u00a0She opines that several factors contribute to this: academic stress from parents, the school, peers, and society; the need to juggle a range of activities beyond academics, such as extra-curricular activities; a lack of focus on well-being; an emphasis on schoolwork and academia over building life skills; and increasing disconnect and isolation from the community due to a rise in online engagement, or parents being busy with work.\u00a0Current mental health measures in schoolsIn his parliamentary statement on 27 July, Minister of Education Chan Chun Sing touched on current measures to support the mental health of students in schools.\u00a0He explains: \u201cSocial emotional skills and resilience building form the foundation of MOE’s [Ministry of Education] mental health efforts, and have been part of our character and citizenship education or CCE curriculum for some time.\u201dHe highlighted existing mental health support measures in schools, including the revised CCE curriculum implemented this year. This comprises enhanced features to develop mental health literacy in students, the implementation of peer support systems, the role of teachers in keeping an eye on their students, and the availability of school counsellors and teacher-counsellors \u2013 a special group of teachers who have received additional training to help students manage challenging social emotional problems.\u00a0The revised Character and Citizenship Education curriculum introduced this year places a greater focus on mental health. (Source: Ministry of Education)But students believe that these measures are still inadequate.\u00a0Janet (not her real name), 19, who graduated from junior college in 2020, feels that CCE lessons do not place sufficient focus on mental health. She recounts: \u201cMental health management was not a focus we had in any of the lessons, or they were just briefly mentioned.\u201d\u00a0Meanwhile, Ackley Tan, 17, who just graduated from secondary school, recalls that his school had events like mental health week and talks on mental health issues by external speakers. He believes that these are helpful for those who \u201cexperience issues, but are not sure what they are feeling\u201d as it gives them an understanding of how they should help themselves.However, like Janet, he feels that there is \u201cnot enough emphasis on mental health for students\u201d. He elaborates: \u201cThey\u2019ll just say, talk to a friend or teacher if you need help, but no one really asks how you are doing.\u201d\u00a0Ms Koay opines: \u201cI feel that the main problem is the delivery of the messages. We treat mental health literacy like a subject to be taught and learnt, and maybe even to be quizzed. We forget that mental health literacy is about how we live our lives, how we take care of ourselves, treat one another, and look after one another in the community.\u201dHer sentiments are echoed by Alan (not his real name), a teacher at a local junior college. He shares that while CCE lessons often cover self-management tools such as prioritising and managing stress, their effectiveness depends on students\u2019 mentality. \u201cThe quality and outcome depend a lot on… how seriously they take it and whether they continue to practice it even as we remind them to,\u201d he said.\u201cIt is really tough for one teacher managing between 20 to 35 students (depending on which level we teach) to make sure that everyone is engaged and internalising [the lessons]… While each school tries to tailor the content to suit their school, and each tutor tweaks it to suit their class, it’s still really hard to ensure everyone takes it seriously,\u201d he adds.Acknowledging the need to further bolster mental health efforts in schools, Mr Chan introduced several \u201cnear-term\u201d measures MOE intends to undertake:But are these initiatives truly sufficient in Singapore\u2019s pressure cooker environment? Will their execution place undue stress on teachers, who may already be working 52 to 56 hours a week? And beyond the near term, how can mental health support continue to be enhanced in the long term for students?\u00a0A step in the right direction, but not the end-all, be-allStudents Janet and Ackley welcome the new measures.\u00a0Janet says: \u201c[These measures will] better equip teachers with more relevant knowledge on the different aspects of mental health and how to help or support students who may have mental health issues.\u201d\u00a0Ackley adds that the measures will also help students who are struggling be identified more quickly, which allows for intervention in a prompt manner.\u00a0However, teachers and counsellors TheHomeGround Asia spoke to were a more cautious in their optimism. For instance, Athena (not her real name), a teacher at a secondary school, believes that improving the general mental health literacy of teachers is a good move but points out that the measures’ effectiveness is still dependent on the content of these additional courses.\u00a0\u201cThe initiatives are good, better than before, for sure,\u201d Ms Koay says. \u201cBut we need to make sure that the human element is present. If we just go through the motions and do things as if we are checking the boxes, nothing will change. We have to genuinely want to care for one another.\u201dShe adds: \u201cI think it would be good to do a needs analysis with the teachers and students so it is not just a top down approach but also bottom up. Then, we can hear from the people who are involved, instead of just policy-makers who are not on the ground.\u201dDoctoral Candidate, Mental Health Advocate and Mental Health Researcher, Jonathan Kuek, agrees: \u201cIt would be good if we could make an intentional effort to include teachers and students who do not often provide input, and learn more about their needs and wants, so that solutions can be more representative of the entire schooling population.\u201d\u201cUncomfortable conversations will need to be had in order for things to progress,\u201d he says.Doctoral Candidate, Mental Health Advocate and Mental Health Researcher, Jonathan Kuek believes that “uncomfortable conversations” need to be had in order for mental health measures to improve. (Photo source: Canva)There is also concern that such measures may place unnecessary pressure on teachers to be responsible for the well-being of their students. In particular, mandating that teachers check in on their students regularly is a point of contention for Athena.\u00a0\u201cI find this a very tokenistic measure,\u201d she rues. \u201cIt is difficult to find time and space to talk to every student within two terms, let alone one… It doesn\u2019t have to be a blanket rule that we have to talk to, and record down, how a student is doing, just so it seems we have done our part as form teachers.\u201d\u00a0Alan chimes in, sharing that oftentimes, a hurdle in addressing the mental health concerns of students is their own \u201cself-censure\u201d: \u201cIt takes a lot of trust to talk to an adult figure about their [students\u2019] situation, especially if it involves more than just them.\u201d\u00a0He thus believes that while measures like increasing the number of teacher-counsellors is promising, a lot of the initial groundwork will still fall to the teacher, to establish trust and a safe environment for students to be comfortable with sharing.\u00a0Being mindful of a teacher\u2019s roleAll the interviewees TheHomeGround Asia spoke to agree that teachers should play a role in managing the well-being of students.Ms Koay suggests: \u201cThe teachers should be our first line of defence and should know how to administer mental health “first-aid”, but they should not bear the responsibility entirely because this is not what they are trained for.\u201d\u201cIt is really how the teachers need to be as teachers, not about the knowledge of mental health,\u201d she elaborates. \u201cDo the teachers nurture the students to grow and be the best that they can be? Are [they] able to see that when the students misbehave, there may be underlying mental health concerns, family issues or learning needs, and be more understanding and communicate positively and constructively towards them?\u201d\u201cSome teachers take to the traditional ways of disciplining, like scolding or shouting at students, or mete out detentions which may not facilitate learning and growth in terms of character and life skills,\u201d she observes.\u00a0The introduction of mental health support measures in schools should therefore take into account teachers\u2019 capacities and well-being as well, according to Mr Kuek.\u00a0He says: \u201cEvery teacher has their unique personality and capacity for processing of ;emotional and behavioural cues, so if it places too great a burden on them, then it [the measures] may become a tokenistic effort.\u201d\u00a0For instance, he highlights how measures like improving mental health literacy for teachers can be a double-edged sword: \u201cThere is no harm in having more knowledge… [but another] consideration is whether these extra development courses will place a significant burden on them, and what is expected from them once they receive an enhanced curriculum.\u201dAlan concurs, saying that while teachers may be responsible, it needs to be \u201cwithin limits\u201d.\u00a0\u201cWe have to wear a lot of hats,\u201d he explains. Besides their core role of teaching, some teachers also double up as CCA coaches, carry out administrative and\/or financial management for CCAs and committees, and act as event planners.\u00a0Teachers often don multiple hats, explains a Junior College teacher, Alan (not his real name), who highlights that providing guidance and support to students can be time consuming and emotionally wearing. (Photo source: Canva)\u201cOn top of which we also have to be personal coaches or provide guidance and counselling for students. Such guidance is a thoroughly time consuming and emotionally wearing experience,\u201d he says. \u201cPlease understand that many teachers are themselves also people with families and have to take care of them too.\u201d\u201cIf you are a parent to one or two children, [you understand] how much it takes to care for several adolescents\/youths on a daily basis… It is definitely not the same, but you get how much we have to pour in in order to make a difference.\u201dA holistic approach to mental health support for studentsAs the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child; supporting students\u2019 mental health needs is no different.\u00a0Janet says: \u201cI believe both teachers and parents have a role and responsibility for the mental well-being of students. As people who the students look up to and rely on, [they] should play their part in ensuring the mental health of students.\u201d\u00a0She continues: \u201cEven if the teachers and parents don\u2019t necessarily understand or relate to how the students feel, they should be there with them and stand by them every step of the way.\u201dMr Kuek chimes in: \u201cI don’t think that teachers, while serving as one possible line of defence, should bear the entire weight of being the sole gatekeepers for students, especially given their existing workloads. This responsibility needs to be shared among all parties involved in a child’s or youth’s life.\u201dStudents themselves are hoping for more conversations and understanding on issues surrounding mental health. Janet expresses her wish for more conversations on the topic, suggesting lessons on the topic of mental health, or even conducting discussions and forums to foster greater engagement on the topic.\u00a0Safeguarding the mental health of students needs to be done systemically, through both top down and bottom up approaches, says Michelle Koay, a High School Counsellor. (Photo source: Canva)Meanwhile, Ackley expounds the importance of taking mental health seriously: \u201cMental health issues should not be treated as a joke. People always say stuff like, ‘Why have depression? Just be happy.’ [This can be] offensive to many people since you really don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes.\u201dUltimately, Ms Koay suggests that safeguarding the mental health of students is a systemic concern, and should be addressed as such: \u201cWe need to take a look at what needs to be done upstream, education and preventive work.\u201d\u201c[Having] a less stressful education system, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, having time to connect and have fun with one another, stronger families, a caring community of teachers and peers, positive communication and more meaningful conversations,\u201d she says.Resources and helplines if you need supportIf you are, or someone you know is struggling, or just need someone to talk to, resources are available:\u00a0Care Corner Counselling: 1800 353 5800 (Mandarin)CHAT webCHAT ServiceFei Yue\u2019s Online Counselling ServiceInstitute of Mental Health\u2019s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222I\u2019m Friendly Co Telegram Bot (for anonymous peer support)National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444\u00a0Silver Ribbon Singapore : 6385 3714TOUCHline: 1800 377 2252Join the conversations on TheHomeGround Asia’s Facebook and Instagram, and get the latest updates via Telegram."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Destinations","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Singapore","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/\/singapore\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Teachers and students chime in on revised mental health support measures in schools","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/teachers-and-students-chime-in-on-revised-mental-health-support-measures-in-schools\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]