Mental Health Services and Crisis Support in Singapore

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Singapore's mental health services are anchored by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) as the tertiary psychiatric hospital, supported by a network of community mental health teams (CREST and COMIT), voluntary welfare organisations, and a growing set of 24/7 helplines. The national mindline 1771, launched in June 2025, is Singapore's first national mental health helpline and textline, operating 24/7.

Critical helpline updates:

• Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): 1767 — 24/7 suicide prevention
• national mindline 1771 — 24/7 mental health support (launched June 2025)
• IMH Mental Health Helpline 6389 2222 — RETIRED 18 June 2025 (replaced by mindline 1771)
• National CARE Hotline 1800-202-6868 — CEASED 31 Dec 2022

CRISIS HELPLINES

INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH (IMH)

Singapore's only tertiary psychiatric hospital. 50+ wards, ~2,010 inpatient beds, 7 specialist outpatient clinics, plus satellite clinics and community mental health programmes.

• Address: 10 Buangkok View, S539747 (near Buangkok MRT)
• General Enquiries: 6389 2000 (24 hours)
• Website: imh.com.sg

Key departments

• Department of General Psychiatry
• Department of Mood and Anxiety Disorders
• Department of Psychosis (including Early Psychosis Intervention Programme — EPIP)
• Department of Developmental Psychiatry (Child Guidance Clinic)
• Department of Geriatric Psychiatry
• Department of Addiction Medicine (National Addictions Management Service — NAMS)
• Department of Forensic Psychiatry
• Department of Psychological Medicine

Community-based services through IMH

• CHAT — Community Health Assessment Team (youth mental health, ages 16–30)
• MCT — Mobile Crisis Team
• AIMH — Assisted Independence for Mental Health
• REACH — Response Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health (for schools)
• CREST — Community Resource, Engagement and Support Team

How to access

• Non-emergency: GP or polyclinic referral for appointments
• Crisis: Walk-in Emergency Services (24/7)
• Appointments: Main line 6389 2000
• Telemedicine: Phone/video consultation available

KEY MENTAL HEALTH ORGANISATIONS

Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH)

Non-profit VWO established 1968. 10 centres providing counselling, creative services, outreach, rehabilitation, and workplace skills training.

• Helpline: 1800-283-7019 (toll-free) | Main: 6255 3222
• Website: samhealth.org.sg

Key centres:

Club HEAL (Hope, Empowerment, Acceptance & Love)

Day rehab, psychoeducation, skills training, CREST outreach.

• Main phone: 6899 3463
• Website: clubheal.org.sg

Silver Ribbon (Singapore)

Founded 2006. Combats mental health stigma, provides A.I.R. (Awareness, Identification & Referral) — interim emotional support up to 12 months.

• Address: c/o H.O.L.A., Blk 208 Serangoon Central, #01-238, S550208
• Phone: 6386 1928
• Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
• Email: info@silverribbonsingapore.com
• Website: silverribbonsingapore.com

Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL)

Dedicated to caregivers of persons with mental health issues — education (C2C programmes), peer support, crisis support.

• Address: 491-B River Valley Road, #04-04 Valley Point Office Tower, S248373
• Phone: 6460 4400
• Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–6pm
• Email: general@cal.org.sg
• Website: cal.org.sg

Clarity Singapore

Mental health charity for anxiety, depression, stress. As of 1 April 2025, all counselling & psychotherapy sessions are FREE. Member of Caritas Singapore and NCSS.

• Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm
• Website: clarity-singapore.org

AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research)

• Address: 5 Dover Crescent, #01-22, S130005
• Women's Helpline: 1800-777-5555 (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, 4 languages)
• Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC): 6779 0282
• Email: aware@aware.org.sg
• Website: aware.org.sg
• Services: Helpline, counselling, legal clinic, SACC, family violence, workplace sexual harassment support

CHAT — YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH (ages 16–30)

CHAT (Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health) is IMH's free and confidential mental health assessment service for young people.

• Hub address: *SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #04-07, S237978
• Phone: 6493 6500 / 6501
• Hours: Tue–Sat 12pm–9pm (excl. PH); weekend and after-hours assessments also available
• Website: chat.mentalhealth.sg | imh.com.sg/CHAT
• Services: Free assessments (3 As — Awareness, Access, Assessment); webCHAT e-mental health; outreach; referrals to specialist clinics or school/community counsellors
• Access: Online booking, phone, or walk-in

As of end-March 2024, CHAT has supported 7,600+ youth — 79.2% of those assessed had mental health issues, with 61.5% referred to specialist clinics.

COUNSELLING CENTRES

Shan You Counselling Centre (SYCC)

• Address: 5 Upper Boon Keng Road, #02-15, S380005
• Phone: 6741 9293
• Email: counselling@shanyou.org.sg
• Website: shanyou.org.sg
• Hours: Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri 9am–6pm; Tue 12pm–9pm
• Founded: 1995
• Services: Counselling and mindfulness-based services regardless of ethnicity/religion

REACH Community Services

• Main address: 187 Bishan Street 13, #01-475, S570187
• Phone: 6252 2566
• Website: reach.org.sg
• Counselling Centre @ Shunfu: 307 Shunfu Road, #01-137, S570307; Tel 6801 0730; counselling@reach.org.sg
• Family Service Centre @ Sin Ming: 409 Sin Ming Ave, #01-01, S570409
• Services: Counselling, mental health service, family/senior/youth care, CREST (Bukit Gombak, Hong Kah North)

Eagles Mediation & Counselling Centre (EMCC)

• Address: City Square Mall (180 Kitchener Road)
• Phone: 6788 8220
• Email: services@emcc.org.sg
• Website: emcc.org.sg
• Services: Affordable counselling and mediation (est. 1997); relationship/family focus

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH — CREST & COMIT

Both programmes are part of the Community Mental Health Masterplan led by AIC with MOH. Both are fully subsidised by government (free to clients). Over 100 community mental health teams operate islandwide.

AIC Infoline: 1800-650-6060 | aic.sg

CREST — Community Resource, Engagement and Support Team

Community outreach team providing screening, emotional support, befriending, psychoeducation, and links to further care. Focus: depression, dementia, and mental health conditions. Variants: CREST (general/seniors) and CREST-Youth.

Operators include:

• Fei Yue Community Services — Ang Mo Kio–Hougang, Hougang SMC, Punggol, Buona Vista, Queenstown, Bukit Timah, Clementi, Ulu Pandan, Bukit Panjang SMC, Cashew, Zhenghua, Brickland, Choa Chu Kang, Limbang, Yew Tee, Paya Lebar, Serangoon
• REACH Community Services — Bukit Gombak, Hong Kah North
• TOUCH Community Services — Cheng San–Seletar
• Club HEAL — multiple zones
• CARE Singapore — Pasir Ris, Tampines East (CREST-Youth)
• AWWA — seniors CREST
• Others: Montfort Care, Allkin, Filos, THK

COMIT — Community Intervention Team

Higher-tier community service providing psychosocial interventions (CBT, case management, psychoeducation) for individuals with moderate mental health needs. Bridges primary care/GP Partners and specialist tertiary psychiatric services.

Operators: Fei Yue, REACH, TOUCH, Club HEAL, SAMH, AWWA, Allkin, and others — operating islandwide.

Access: Referral via GP, polyclinic, CREST, hospital, school counsellor, or self-referral via AIC.

HOW TO ACCESS HELP

1. In crisis (immediate): Call 1767 (SOS) or 1771 (mindline) or 999 (Police). Walk into any public hospital Emergency Department.
2. Non-urgent assessment: Visit a GP or polyclinic for referral. Subsidised rates apply.
3. Youth (16–30): CHAT at *SCAPE — free assessment, no referral needed.
4. Community support: Call AIC 1800-650-6060 for CREST/COMIT in your area.
5. Caregivers: Contact CAL 6460 4400.
6. Women: AWARE Women's Helpline 1800-777-5555.

KEY CONTACTS