Being positive 100% of the time can be tiring. Some days are harder than others and it’s only natural to feel down. On days like these, it’s alright to feel defeated and reach out for support. After all, none of us have all the answers in trying to figure out life together.
Be rest assured that there is no weakness in asking for help. It is the first step in addressing that you are lost and you just need a little direction to head to where you want to go. If you’re looking for support today, here are mental health hotlines in Singapore if you need to talk to someone right now.
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Image credit: Limitless
Not all of us have the means to visit a therapist to talk through our issues, especially when a single session can cost upwards of a few hundred dollars. Thankfully, there’s Limitless, which has a team of counsellors and social workers willing to lend a listening ear if you’re going through a rough time.
You can contact their team via phone call or text them on WhatsApp if you just want someone to talk to. But for those in need of advice and direction, you can also sign up for their free counselling sessions. You’ll need to sign up for either service online first before they get in touch with you the next working day.
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays)
Contact: Limitless website
Sometimes, all you need is a sounding board to rant at and share your concerns. That’s what the Care Singapore’s Hear4U helpline is for. Feel free to type out your frustrations and anxieties over WhatsApp; you’ll then get real-time responses from friendly operators. They can also offer extra resources on where to get help, such as with therapists and counsellors, should their advice not be sufficient.
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays)
Contact: 6978 2728 (WhatsApp only) | Hear4U website
Domestic violence doesn’t just mean physical abuse. It can come in the form of emotional manipulation and sexual harassment as well. If that’s something you face, the Break The Silence hotline can be your outlet.
It operates 24/7 for victims and witnesses of violence looking for assistance and protection. The hotline operators aren’t just here to listen, they’ll able to advise on what steps to take next, such as making an online police report and social service centres you can seek refuge at.
Operating hours: 24 hours, Daily
Contact: 1800 777 0000 | Break The Silence website
Image adapted from: SOS
For the many of us who grew up pinging our friends on MSN and racking up phone bills through texting, picking up the phone to call a helpline may not seem like a natural thing to do. But with Samaritans of Singapore’s (SOS) CareText, those in distress can send a message to talk to someone instead.
Based on WhatsApp, CareText has trained volunteers on standby to provide emotional support 24/7. There’s also CareMail where you can reach out via email, if that’s more your speed. Don’t worry, you can choose to remain anonymous and everything shared will remain confidential.
Alternatively, help from SOS is available through their 24-hour hotline at 1767.
Contact: 9151 1761 (WhatsApp only) | 9151 1761 (24-hour hotline)
Image adapted from: Wysa
If you just need to vent for a while and no one else is around, turn to Wysa, the friendly penguin chatbot that is available 24/7. The emotionally intelligent penguin creates a non-judgmental space that allows users to share whatever is on their mind. Wysa then shares advice and positive reinforcement based on your answers given.
The penguin checks in daily too, to make sure you’re coping well. If it senses something is amiss, Wysa will prompt you to speak to a therapist if need be. Otherwise, use the available meditation and breathing exercises to alleviate stress.
Download Wysa for iOS or Wysa for Android
Image adapted from: CARA Unmask
Spilling your deepest darkest anxieties can be terrifying when you’re afraid of being judged. But with CARA Unmask, users can chat anonymously with CARA Friends, befrienders who will actively listen to how you feel.
While they are not trained to give therapy or medical advice, the app does provide a list of therapists you can chat with for free for 48 hours. If you’re happy with their service, there are subscription options for in-person or online therapy.
Seek comfort in knowing that you’re never alone when it comes to dealing with mental health issues with the CARA Community tab. You can post questions and whatever else is bugging you on the bulletin board, and encourage others by responding to their posts as well.
Download Cara Unmask for Android
Known for their work in growing awareness in destigmatising mental health issues, Silver Ribbon Singapore (SRS) has free counselling sessions for anyone who needs it.
Those with IT know-how can get counselled over the phone via WhatsApp or through a Zoom call. But if someone you know isn’t as IT-savvy, they can make their way to the SRS office in Serangoon instead. SRS can even deploy a counsellor to your home if a face-to-face session is not feasible. Counselling can be done in English, Mandarin, or in dialect – Cantonese, Teochew, and Hokkien.
Apart from this service, SRS also hosts regular mental health awareness talks online discussing issues faced by various groups of people, such as Gen Z-ers, parents, and more.
Book an appointment with Silver Ribbon Singapore
Address: 208 Serangoon Central, #01-238, Singapore 550208
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 9pm-5pm (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Contact: 6386 1928 | Silver Ribbon Singapore website
What started out as an instant messaging platform for young people seeking counselling is now open to all Singaporeans, so if you’ve been having a tough time lately don’t be afraid to reach out. eC2 by Fei Yue Counselling is an e-Counselling Centre that creates a safe space to speak to a trained counsellor where you are.
There is a quick chat function for those new to the system and are looking to connect with a counsellor. Once a counsellor has been assigned to you, you can schedule an appointment with your counsellor, drop them a note, and chat with them all on the eC2 platform.
Operating hours: Mon, Thu & Fri 10am-12pm, 2pm-5pm (Closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays)
Contact: eC2 website
Image credit: CPH Online Counselling
Whether it be marital or parenting difficulties and even divorce, families can turn to CPH Online Counselling for help in working through such issues. The team of counsellors here are qualified psychologists with expertise in such family-related matters.
The free service is provided for by Community Psychology Hub and the Ministry of Social and Family Development. There are 3 ways to receive counselling through CPH Online Counselling: via live chat, over email, and over the phone, depending on which you are more comfortable with.
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays)
Contact: CPH Online Counselling website
Dealing with your sexual identity is not an easy thing to go through if you do not have a supportive community around you. Oogachaga wants to be that community for persons who identify themselves as LGBTQ+ in Singapore.
Their WhatsApp counselling service is the only dedicated hotline for the LGBTQ+ community in Singapore. The confidential service isn’t just for those struggling with their sexual identity, but for family members, spouses and friends facing issues with LGBTQ+ persons in their lives as well.
Operating hours: Tue-Thu 7pm-10pm | Sat 2pm-5pm (Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays)
Contact: 8592 0609 (WhatAapp only)
Admitting you need help is the first step, but what to do next can be another problem altogether. At webCHAT, mental health professionals aren’t just there to provide momentary emotional support – they want to make sure your well-being is taken care of in the long run.
Through text messages, share your concerns with your assigned counsellor who will then give recommendations based on the goals you’re seeking regarding your mental health. This could be a sharing of support services, direct referrals (with consent), or a mental health check to better understand your situation.
For those concerned with needing parental consent, CHAT’s personalised mental health check is held confidentially for those 16-30 years old.
Operating hours: Tue-Sat 1pm-8pm (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Contact: webCHAT website
Image credit: MSF Singapore
The National CARE Hotline was set up by the Ministry of Social and Family Development in response to an increase in the number of people facing Covid-19-related anxiety and worries. The hotline has since been closed, and those who still require support are advised to seek help via the Mental Health Hotline or Samaritans of Singapore helpline.
Give yourself a pat on the back for acknowledging that you need help. Progress is eminent now that you know where to turn to in times of trouble. We wish you all the best in improving your mental health.
You can contact the Mental Health Hotline at 6389 2222.
If you don’t have a family member or close friend to confide in, you may dial 1761 speak to a professional from the Samaritans of Singapore.
Singapore’s dedicated 24/7 Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1767, manned by the Samaritans of Singapore.
Read more on mental health:
Illustrations: Charlotte Lee
Originally published on 13th August 2021. Last updated by Nicholas Ong on 9th October 2023.
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