Dean of Students, Associate Professor Ho Han Kiat
Distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen.
Introduction
1. A very good morning to everyone. I am glad to join you today for the inauguration and certification ceremony of the National University of Singapore's Students' Union (NUSSU) Advocates programme.
Mental Health in Context
2. Over the years, awareness of mental health issues along with efforts to address the needs of diverse groups have grown at all levels. The national Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health and Wellbeing is studying how various agencies, which play different roles in the mental health landscape, can better synergise and address the mental health needs of the whole population. A key challenge is the continued stigma against mental health, which poses barriers to normalising conversations around mental health and those seeking help for these challenges.
3. Much work has been done to encourage greater understanding and acceptance for mental health issues by the general populace, raise awareness, and improve access to care. For example, HPB launched a nationwide "It's OKAY to reach out" campaign last October to encourage Singaporeans to seek help and, where possible, to also reach out to those who need support.
4. As part of the wider effort to promote mental well-being, MindSG, a one-stop portal for national mental health resources, was developed by HPB in collaboration with whole-of-government partners to help Singaporeans better navigate the wealth of resources available online. The portal aims to become the go-to resource for credible and reliable information on mental health and wellbeing, with content curated by experts in the relevant fields.
5. The Institutes of Higher Learning have also enhanced their mental health programmes to provide their communities with a better understanding of mental health issues and resources available so they can seek help easily. For example, like other IHLs, NUS organises various mental wellness programmes to reinforce the importance of stress management and self-care such as the AreuOK Campaign and WellNUS Festival.
6. In addition, NUS provides students facing challenges with their mental health the option to retake exams and modules on an appeal basis, as well as allowances on assignment due dates. All lecturers also receive training to recognise mental health disorders, and to render support to students facing challenges, and there have been efforts to reduce administrative tasks of counsellors and ramp up the number of full-time counsellors available to reduce waiting time for counselling sessions and better care for students' needs.
7. I am glad to see that the NUS Students' Union has banded together as a community and stepped up to strengthen NUS' peer support structures. Their excellent work plays a very strong role in training students to identify early warning signs, render assistance, and recognise those who have come forward to lend a helping hand.
NUSSU Advocates Programme
8. We are here today to celebrate the inaugural batch of students certified under the NUSSU Advocates Programme, a keystone initiative that prepares student leaders for their role as peer supporters in the NUS community. The programme was initiated by members of the NUSSU 42nd Executive Committee Welfare Cell and then further developed by the 43rd Executive Committee Internal Cell with support from the NUS Office of Student Affairs' Student Wellness Team.
9. Together with his team, Mr Mathew Kwok, Vice-President (Internal) of the NUS Students' Union and founder of NUSSU Advocates, worked hard to make the NUSSU Advocates project a reality. Mathew fell into a spiral of negativity after suffering from a severe injury five years ago that caused him to withdraw from his social life as he was not able to walk well or function without relying on painkillers. Fortunately for Mathew, he was able to rely on good friends who helped him pull through the difficult period. The experience highlighted the importance of a strong support circle. He has since recovered well and moved to start and build up the NUSSU Advocates. It is his hope that the NUSSU Advocates will become a springboard to other similar support groups in NUS and enable greater access to care for students. Congratulations Mathew, I am glad to see that you are doing well.
10. Under the NUSSU Advocates programme, student leaders undergo three levels of training sessions — first on Mental Literacy, followed by Suicide Awareness and Prevention, and ending with the NUSSU Advocates Orientation programme where participants go through scenario-based simulations to test and apply what they have learnt, in the context of the university's environment.
11. These training sessions build up a foundation of mental health knowledge in student leaders and allows them to become peer student supporters proficient in recognising early warning signs, providing the first line of support, and eventually guiding peers to appropriate avenues of help and professional counselling available in the university when necessary.
12. One of the certificate recipients today is Mr Stanley Jeremy Tedjasurya. Stanley once managed to talk his friend out of ending her life and referred her to professional avenues of help in a timely manner. The experience was a close shave, however, as Stanley felt that he did not have the knowhow to deal with more complex conditions. Stanley believes that the programme has helped him better appreciate the reality of mental health issues. He feels that the training provided not only the skills to react better to similar situations in the future, but more also the importance of building mental resilience amongst young people.
Concluding Lines
13. I am sure that, like Stanley and Mathew, many of you here today have personal stories and experiences that inspired you to volunteer for the programme. Thank you for your dedication and efforts. Peer Student Supporter networks can make a positive difference and are a fundamental support structure in our Institutes of Higher Learning. I am heartened to be able to inaugurate this programme and recognise the first batch of NUSSU Advocates here today.
14. Congratulations to the NUS Students' Union, to the NUS Student Wellness team, and to everyone here for taking this very positive step to supporting yourselves and your peers.
15. I wish the programme continued growth and success in its endeavour, and as like-minded student leaders and individuals across NUS continue to work together to improve mental health support within the institution. As a society, we must continue to aspire to build a robust mental health system – to look at upstream prevention, create, also, a supportive space for those who need help - and in all, strengthen the long-term mental resilience in our people
16. I was very heartened to hear how much each and every one of you feel so strongly about being peer leaders, and to see young people like yourselves stepping forward to help your peers. It bodes very well for the future of Singapore. Thank you for your commitment to building a culture of care and support for one another. Please do take care of yourselves too. Support each other and continue to support your peers. I'm sure the NUS community will be better supported with this initiative. Thank you, and have a pleasant day.