Most support in Singapore is aimed at the person who is unwell. This page is for the person holding things together around them. Everything listed here is real, and much of it is free.
Start here if you are new to this
If someone in your family has recently been diagnosed, or you suspect something is wrong and do not know what to do, the highest-value thing you can do in the first month is enrol in a structured caregiver course. They are free, they are practical rather than therapeutic, and they shorten the two or three years most families spend working it out alone.
Courses you can enrol in
Caregivers Alliance: Caregivers-to-Caregivers
Fully funded, meaning free. Three streams:
- Mental health issues. Twelve weeks, multiple locations across Singapore. Covers mental health conditions, how the brain is affected, medications, communication strategies, and recovery and resilience.
- Young caregivers. Eight sessions, for caregivers aged 15 to 35. Covers a holistic view of mental health and caregiving, problem-solving, empathy and communication.
- Dementia. Eight weeks. Covers understanding and managing dementia, challenging behaviours, and telling dementia apart from normal signs of ageing.
Supplementary training on specialised topics, including eating disorders and mindfulness, has also been offered. The organisation suggests starting with the main programme. Details at cal.org.sg.
Trauma-informed care sessions
The Institute of Mental Health lists a one-hour trauma-informed care awareness talk covering trauma, how it presents in children and young people, and adverse childhood experiences, and a four-hour workshop for parents and caregivers covering integration, healing approaches and recovery.
Support groups
Dementia Singapore
- Two-hour sessions, guest speaker followed by peer sharing.
- English, Mandarin and Malay.
- Caregiver Support Services on Bendemeer Road, the Dementia Social Club on Tiong Bahru Road, and Zoom.
- Free. Register at least two weeks ahead on 6377 0700, by contact form, or online.
- Complimentary childcare may be available on request.
Club HEAL
Caregiver support groups for family members of people with mental illness, run on Friday evenings from 8pm to 10pm.
- First Friday: Pasir Ris East, Blk 148 Pasir Ris St 13 #01-24.
- Second Friday: BBE West, 244 Bukit Batok East Ave 5 #01-02.
- Third Friday: Marsiling North, Blk 317 Woodlands St 31 #01-194.
Register by email to info@clubheal.org.sg.
Caregiver Support Network
Run through community mental health teams for caregivers of people living with dementia, mental health or physical health conditions, aimed at caregivers experiencing or at risk of depression, anxiety and burnout. It provides peer support focused on self-care, mindset change and recognition, alongside counselling, coping techniques and stress management. You can approach the teams directly.
- Club HEAL: 6899 3463
- Dementia Singapore: 6377 0700
- Mindfull Community: 6460 4400
Condition-specific services
- Early psychosis. The Early Psychosis Intervention Programme at IMH, for people aged 12 to 40 with early psychosis and those aged 16 to 30 at elevated risk. Peer support specialists include caregivers.
- Youth. CHAT, the Community Health Assessment Team, provides youth mental health assessment.
- Addiction and gambling. The National Addictions Management Service. General 6389 2000, appointments 6389 2200, All Addictions Helpline 6732 6837, National Problem Gambling Helpline 1800 6 668 668.
- Eating disorders. The Eating Disorders Programme at Singapore General Hospital.
- Autism. The Autism Resource Centre (Singapore).
- ADHD. Unlocking ADHD, which maintains a healthcare and community services directory.
Helplines
Caregivers use these lines too. You do not have to be the person in crisis to call one.
Money
If you take one thing from this page
Families reach these services on average two to three years later than they could have. The usual reasons are that support groups sound like talking about feelings when what you need is instruction, and that leaving the house requires arranging care for the person you are caring for. The first is a misreading; these sessions are largely informational. The second is why Zoom sessions and childcare exist.