Remarks by Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower at World Mental Health Day event

Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower, Tukang Dormitory

Good morning to our migrant brothers, partners, and volunteers!

2 I am happy to join you today to commemorate World Mental Health Day, which serves to remind us of the importance of mental well-being and how we can care for ourselves and one another.

3 Maintaining good mental well-being requires a combination of daily habits, emotional awareness and strong support networks. Just like physical fitness, mental wellness is built through small, consistent actions rather than single fixes. That is why MOM works closely with employers, NGOs, dormitory operators and community partners to educate and support workers directly while strengthening the support ecosystem for our migrant community.

Strengthening connections within the community

4 Over the past year, we have taken a multi-prong approach in supporting migrant workers’ mental well-being. Together with our partners, we organised preventive health roadshows for our migrant workers. We provide migrant workers with Peer Support Leader training so that they can support mental well-being of their peers. With HealthServe, there is also the crisis helpline for workers in distress. These are important avenues for workers to seek help when they need it, and to look out for one another. But supporting mental well-being goes beyond preventive care and crisis support. It is also about creating opportunities for people to connect, build friendships and feel part of a community where they are supported.

5 Let me share one example here at NESST Tukang. One resident, Naveen Kumar, spends at least three hours each week in the community garden in this dormitory, growing vegetables such as spinach that remind him of meals shared with his family back home. For Naveen, the garden is more than a place to grow plants. It is a place to unwind after work and spend time with his fellow residents. It gives him a sense of connection and belonging. Experiences like Naveen's are made possible through the contributions of many partners coming together to support our migrant workers. Employers such as Chye Thiam Maintenance have supported initiatives like the Green Fingers Club, while Bachy Soletanche Singapore is supporting today's gardening-themed upcycling activity. These contributions demonstrate how employers can support workers' well-being beyond the workplace.

6 I am delighted to launch the NESST Community Garden which was developed in partnership with the National Parks Board (NParks) under the Community in Bloom programme. The garden gives residents dedicated spaces to grow their own edible plants. Residents decide what to grow, care for the plants together and share the harvest. These simple activities bring residents together and strengthen their sense of community. MOM will be collaborating with NParks and NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health to study how greener dormitory environments, including greater access to green spaces and opportunities for community gardening, can strengthen social connectedness and support migrant workers’ well-being. These findings can potentially guide us to design more conducive and welcoming living conditions and recreational settings for migrant workers.

Strengthening connections within family

7 The community garden reminds us that strong friendships and support networks can be built here in small communities with similar interests and needs when they are in Singapore. But many workers also draw strength from another important source: their families. For many, family is the reason they came to Singapore in the first place. Being physically apart can be difficult, especially for parents who want to remain present in their children's lives despite the distance. That is why I am encouraged by the efforts of many community partners that help workers continue to play their roles as fathers and mothers despite being far from home.

8 For example, organisations such as HealthServe, The Salvation Army and dormitory operators have been working together to bring Centre for Fathering’s parenting workshops to migrant worker fathers living in dormitories. These workshops equip fathers with practical tools to stay involved in their children's lives, while creating opportunities for peer support and shared learning. Likewise, Uplifters has developed a Long-Distance Parenting Course for migrant domestic workers. The programme supports participants in managing the emotional challenges of parenting from afar, strengthening communication with their children, and building confidence in their parenting journey. While these initiatives take different forms, they share a common purpose: helping workers maintain strong relationships with the people who matter most. Knowing that they remain connected to their loved ones can give workers strength, reassurance and a sense of purpose, all of which contribute to their mental well-being.

Closing

9 As we mark World Mental Health Day, let us continue working together to build stronger communities, stronger support networks, and a more caring environment for our migrant community. I would like to encourage employers and dormitory operators to continue supporting both the physical and mental well-being of their workers. I would also like to thank all our community partners and volunteers for their contributions and commitment.

10 To all our migrant friends, thank you for your contributions to Singapore. Please remember that support is available, and there are people who care and are ready to help when you need it. Thank you.