GROW WELL SG TO EXPAND TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS
The restructuring comes amid growing concern over youth mental health, with about one in three young people aged 10 to 18 in Singapore reporting mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
Mr Ong said that while Singapore would expand clinical capacity to manage severe mental health conditions, the longer-term solution lies in prevention and addressing problems before they become more serious.
As part of these efforts, the government will extend Grow Well SG to Secondary 1 and 2 students from 2027, with a stronger focus on building mental resilience.
The initiative will be introduced in 20 secondary schools in early 2027 before expanding to all secondary schools in 2028.
Grow Well SG, which has already been rolled out to preschool and primary school children, focuses on developing healthy habits, including adequate sleep, healthy eating, exercise, managing device use and building relationships with family and friends.
Under the expanded programme, secondary school students will work with healthcare professionals to develop personalised health plans, similar to those introduced for primary school pupils.
However, the plans for secondary school students will place greater emphasis on helping them cope with mental health challenges.
Moving from primary to secondary school “is a significant transition in a young person’s life”, Mr Ong noted.
“When they are entering adolescence, when they are building their identities, becoming more independent, and navigating academic, social and digital pressures in a new environment,” he said.
The Grow Well SG Health Plan for secondary schools will focus on normalising conversations about mental health and raising awareness of available support services.
Parents and caregivers will also be involved to help young people apply these skills in their everyday lives.
MOH, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will jointly oversee the expansion. More details will be announced when ready.
NEW GUIDELINES ON PARENTAL CONSENT
MOH is also developing guidelines to provide greater clarity on parental consent for young people seeking mental health support, amid concerns that involving parents too early could discourage some from seeking help.
Mr Ong said current practices surrounding parental consent vary across schools, community services and healthcare settings.
“For some young people, concerns about involving their parents may make them hesitant to seek counselling support,” he said.
The proposed guidelines aim to provide young people with a safe way to seek initial assistance while ensuring that their families are involved at an appropriate stage as care progresses.
“A young person stepping forward to seek help should not have to worry that their parents would somehow be automatically and immediately informed,” Mr Ong said.
“Our key consideration must always be the well-being of the young person.”
MOH will seek public views on the proposed guidelines, including feedback from mental health practitioners, to help strike the right balance between allowing young people to seek help independently and involving their families.