SPEECH BY MR TAN KIAT HOW, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION & MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF ANGLICAN YOUTH CENTRE (SENGKANG), 4 JULY 2026

Venerable Wong Tak Meng, Archdeacon for Community Services, Diocese of Singapore

Board Members of SACS,

Dr Arthur Chern, Group CEO of SACS,

Guests, partners and all the young people here,

1.       A very good morning to all of you! It is my pleasure to be here with you today for the official opening of the Anglican Youth Centre (AYC) in Sengkang.

2.       Our young people, all of you - you are our future. You bring fresh ideas, big dreams and the courage to forge your own paths. Looking around today, I see future innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, changemakers, and borrowing what Professor Lim said earlier – future guides to others. All of you who are here today will help shape Singapore in your own unique ways.

3.       At the same time, growing up today is not so easy, not so straightforward.  Many young people face the pressures of school, societal expectations, the influence of social media, and the uncertainties of a rapidly changing world. And during these moments, it is important that you, the young people, know that you are not alone to face these challenges by yourself. You should know that there are people who care, and places you can turn to.

4.       That is why the Anglican Youth Centre is so important. It is much more than a building. It is a place where young people can feel safe, accepted and supported. Since its inception, AYC (Sengkang) has reached more than 5,000 youths and 280 parents. These are more than just numbers—they represent lives changed and families strengthened.

5.       I was particularly moved by Mdm Rose’s story. She shared how her 12-year-old daughter began to open up after coming to the centre. She saw a remarkable change in her daughter, who now smiles from the heart whenever she is here. With the encouragement of the youth workers, her daughter joined outings, learnt ways to manage stress and communicate better, and formed trusting relationships with the youth workers. Today, they continue to be a source of guidance and encouragement whenever she faces difficulties.

6.       Under the CREST-Youth programme, initiated by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), AYC (Sengkang) helps identify young people who may be at risk early, and provides psychosocial support for youths aged 12 to 25 in the Northeast. The team here works closely with schools, Family Service Centres and other community partners to promote mental well-being and support young people who need help. This is a good example of how caring for our youths takes a whole-of-society, whole-of-community effort – every partner, every stakeholder, every individual, every family playing their part. Government agencies, schools, healthcare professionals, social service organisations, families, the wider community, and individuals, all have such a crucial role to play. And many of you here today, please give yourself a round of applause. Thank you for being part of the community, and to me this is a very good reflection of what Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has said, a 'We-First' society. We all play a part and we contribute to something that is greater and deeper than ourselves - touching lives, strengthening communities, and transforming families.

Youth Crisis Facility

7.       At the same time, some young people require more intensive support. MOH is therefore developing a Youth Crisis Facility, which will provide a safe, supportive and non-stigmatising residential environment for youths at risk of self-harm or suicide. It is expected to begin operations in 2027. So, I hope centres like AYC (Sengkang) can complement these efforts by continuing to provide meaningful programmes and support as young people recover and reintegrate into the community.

Launch of Pocket Guide

8.       While today’s event focuses on young people, mental health is something that concerns all Singaporeans, of all ages and backgrounds. We want everyone to know where to turn when they need support. Last year, we launched the Practice Guide for the Tiered Care Model for Mental Health to help service providers assess needs more consistently and make referrals more seamless.

9.       Today, there are more than 200 community mental health touchpoints across Singapore. While this means help is available, it can also make it difficult to know where to begin. That is why I am pleased to launch the Pocket Guide to Mental Health Services in Singapore, jointly developed by the National Mental Health Office and the Agency for Integrated Care. So, we are launching the pocket guide here today, providing a useful resource for individuals, caregivers, or just friends and families who want to support their loved ones, to know where to go to get help in a seamless, convenient, and accessible manner. I would like to thank the partners who work together with us, the National Mental Health Office and AIC, and many other partners for putting this together. We hope this will be a useful guide, accessible resource for individuals who want to navigate the environment here, know where to get help, and for loved ones, family members, caregivers, stakeholders, to help to guide the people you care for to the resources that they need. The guide makes it easier for individuals and families to understand the different services available and find the support that best meets their needs.

10.      Over the coming months, the Pocket Guide will be available at community touchpoints across Singapore, including AYC (Sengkang), community mental health teams, polyclinics, GP clinics and grovve at *SCAPE. It is also available digitally on the MOH website. So, I encourage everyone to pick up a copy—for yourself, your family, or someone who may need it.

Closing

11.      Let me conclude by reiterating the important points about community support. Let us continue building a Singapore where everyone knows that help is available, and no one has to face mental health challenges alone.

12.      To the young people here today, and to the many young people who are not present here, I want to say this: you matter, and this community is rooting for you. If life feels overwhelming, please don’t be afraid to reach out. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and help is always within reach.

13.      To the team here at AYC (Sengkang), your partners and volunteers—a very big thank you. Your dedication and compassion are making a real difference in the lives of young people and their families.

14.      So, I wish AYC (Sengkang) every success in the years ahead, and I look forward to seeing many more young people grow with confidence, resilience and hope. Thank you very much.