Creation of Online Portals for Students Struggling with Mental Health to Talk to School Counsellors Anonymously

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Education whether online portals can be created to allow students to talk to their school counsellors anonymously so as to encourage students struggling with mental health to open up within a safe space.

To support students struggling with mental health issues, students are encouraged to seek help from their school counsellors. Schools and the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) encourage students to identify themselves when seeking assistance from counsellors. This allows counsellors to better help students and follow up with them, especially if the issues faced by the students are more complex. Counsellors can also better establish rapport with the students and create a safe space for them to open up.

For students who prefer anonymity, there are local online portals (e.g. Tinkle Friend, eC2, SOS) available. Students are informed of these portals and encouraged to seek help if needed. In addition to these portals, some IHLs have their own counselling platforms that maintain students’ anonymity.

MOE will continue to provide resources to support students in distress, destigmatise and encourage help seeking, and leverage community resources and helplines.