EMPOWERING PEERS FOR ON-THE-GROUND SUPPORT
Resilience Collective has built flexibility into its operations with a system that enables all staff, including peers with mental health conditions, to delegate certain tasks or request deadline extensions, while remaining accountable in their roles. “This builds confidence in recovery,” explained Mr Loo. “If there’s no structure – where you don’t know who’s covering your work or who to ask for help – it becomes hard for supervisors to provide flexibility. Employees knowing they can ask for help creates clarity and empowerment.”
The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) is another organisation that has integrated mental health support into its workplace operations, ensuring employees’ psychological and mental well-being.
Ms Rashida Mohamed Zain, Senior Assistant Director and Lead Psychologist of the Psychological and Correctional Rehabilitation Division at SPS, shared that prison officers —known as Captains of Lives (COL) — receive support at all levels when they need mental health support. “It’s not just their immediate supervisors,” she added. “Leaders check whether they’re receiving support, and our Caring Action in Response to Emergencies (CARE) officers as well as peer supporters also check in when they’re unwell. Those seeking help receive it from multiple sources, including psychological support from our branch if needed.”
CARE Officers at SPS are prison officers who are trained to provide psychological first aid. They regularly attend upskilling sessions to ensure they remain well-equipped with the necessary mental health awareness and capabilities.
Source: CNA
