New Initiatives to Strengthen Migrant Community's Mental Well-Being through Community and Family Support
1 To mark World Mental Health Day 2026, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced new initiatives to strengthen mental well-being support for the migrant community. These include:
• Launch of the NESST Community Garden
• Strengthening support for migrant worker fathers in dormitories through parenting workshops
• Introduction of a long-distance parenting programme for migrant domestic workers
2 The initiatives were announced in conjunction with a Mental Health and Wellness Carnival held at NESST Tukang Dormitory on 11 October 2026. About 800 migrant workers attended the carnival. A concurrent programme for about 300 migrant domestic workers was held at the Lifelong Learning Institute in partnership with Brahm Centre and Uplifters Singapore Limited, featuring talks on financial and mental well-being, personal testimonials from migrant domestic workers, as well as fringe activities by Dunman High School.
3 Minister of State for Manpower, Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, launched the NESST Community Garden, a green initiative developed in partnership with the National Parks Board under the Community in Bloom programme. In line with this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “Supportive Communities, Better Well-Being”, the initiatives highlighted how conducive living environments, strong family relationships and community support networks can contribute to positive mental well-being.
Creating supportive living environments
4 The NESST Community Garden grew out of a successful pilot following interest from residents in growing edible plants at the dormitory. Residents have been actively involved in the garden, from deciding what to grow and tending to the plants, to sharing the harvest with fellow residents. The garden provides residents with a space to relax and unwind, while creating opportunities for them to interact and bond with residents from different companies and nationalities.
Strengthening family connections across borders
5 Parenting support has also been extended to migrant workers who are fathers through workshops conducted by the Centre for Fathering under its “Dads for Life” movement, based on the ‘I.C.A.N’1 training framework. Together with community partners such as HealthServe and The Salvation Army, these workshops have benefited more than 80 migrant worker fathers to date. Participants are equipped with practical parenting skills and given opportunities to share parenting challenges, helping them stay meaningfully connected with their children while supporting their own emotional well-being.
6 Other than supporting fathers living in dormitories, migrant domestic workers who are mothers will be able to participate in a new Long Distance Parenting Programme conducted by Uplifters Singapore from November 2026. The online programme supports participants’ emotional well-being and equips them with skills to communicate and strengthen relationships with their children while living and working overseas. It is expected to reach over 600 migrant domestic workers and 900 children over three years.
Expanding community and peer support
7 At the carnival in NESST Tukang dormitory, about 15 participating partners, including NGOs, youth groups, and other community partners supported the event by sharing practical mental health information and services with migrant workers. Through these interactive activities and direct engagement, workers learned about available support resources and ways to care for their mental and physical well-being.
8 As part of the celebrations, 20 Peer Support Leaders (PSLs) in the dorm were also recognised for their contributions in supporting fellow migrant workers through providing peer outreach and para-counselling. PSLs in the dormitories play a key role in identifying and providing early intervention for workers who need assistance.
9 Supporting migrant workers’ mental wellbeing requires a whole-of-society approach. MOM will continue to work with dormitory operators, employers, non-governmental organisations and other community partners to strengthen support networks for the migrant community, encourage conversations about mental well-being, and ensure support remains accessible for members of the migrant community when they need it.
10 Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash said, “As we mark World Mental Health Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of our migrant community. Good mental health is nurtured not by any one organisation alone, but through a collective effort by employers, dormitory operators, community partners, volunteers and many others who care for and support migrant workers every day. By working together, we can build a more caring, supportive and inclusive environment where every migrant worker feels valued, connected and able to thrive.”