Wider Use of Online Mental Wellness Resources Given Constraints on Visits to Clinics

51 Mr Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Health given the constraints on movements and visits to clinics, whether there are plans to educate the public, especially those less familiar with the use of computers, about the use of online mental wellness resources.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: There is a wide range of mental health-related resources available online to provide the public with information on mental health and well-being, including Mindline.sg, which is an online repository of mental health resources and tools to improve mental well-being. The use of such resources is promoted through efforts, such as the "Brave the New" campaign, to help the general population cope with the increased stressors and adjustment challenges brought about by COVID-19.

The Government and public agencies have been reaching out to those who are less technology-savvy on the use of information technologies (IT) to access services, and we have increased our efforts since the Circuit Breaker last year. As part of the "Brave The New" campaign to support seniors to cope with emotional and mental stress arising from the new normal, volunteers from the Silver Generation Office (SGO) were deployed to guide and help seniors access online resources and self-care tools. SGO continues to encourage digital adoption among seniors by introducing them to the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)’s Mobile Access for Seniors scheme, which provides subsidised mobile phones and data plans to seniors who are unable to afford them. Seniors are also encouraged to visit the SG Digital Community Hubs located island-wide to pick up basic digital skills through the Senior Go Digital programme. More than 90,000 seniors have been trained under the programme.

MOH will continue to promote the use and access of online mental wellness resources to achieve better mental health for the population.