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Singapore launches national mindline 1771 to provide 24/7 mental health support
Singapore launches national mindline 1771 to provide 24/7 mental health support

CNA

time2 days ago

  • Health
  • CNA

Singapore launches national mindline 1771 to provide 24/7 mental health support

SINGAPORE: A new national mental health helpline and textline will be available from Wednesday (Jun 18), providing a safe space for individuals to seek help, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). Called national mindline 1771, the helpline and textline service offers three ways for the public to seek help and support for mental health anonymously: through the telephone hotline by dialling 1771, via a mobile messaging service on WhatsApp at +65-6669-1771, and through online webchat on the website. The multi-channel approach ensures that individuals can choose their preferred mode of communication when seeking support, said MOH. Trained counsellors at national mindline 1771 will offer free support through counselling, answering mental health queries, and providing wayfinding assistance and referrals to suitable support services. THE FIRST STOP FOR HELP The launch of national mindline 1771 comes amid rising mental health concerns in Singapore. In the latest National Youth Mental Health Study by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), one in three young people aged between 15 and 35 years in Singapore reported experiencing severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and/or stress. Speaking to the media at the launch of the service on Wednesday, Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Koh Poh Koon said that the national-level helpline will be the 'first stop' for those seeking help with mental health issues. 'Today, we have more than 200 community touchpoints that those who need mental help may be able to access,' he said. 'But because there are many, many touchpoints in the community, it is important to provide some wayfinding for those who need help as well.' As such, the national mindline 1771 is a "first stop" to help people access the appropriate level of intervention that they may need. For example, counsellors can guide those who need more intensive support to the nearest General Practitioner, while those who require more family support might be referred to community partners and social service agencies. In emergencies, counsellors can also transfer the call to IMH, and if need be, the Singapore Police Force for intervention. People facing a lot of mental stress may not have the bandwidth or time to navigate the system, he added. 'So this is really about shortcutting the process for them and making them feel that help is just really at a fingertip away, and not delay any form of health-seeking behaviour until it's something that becomes too late,' he said. Adjunct associate professor Christopher Cheok, the director of national mindline 1771, said that most users call the helpline to talk about their mental distress. 'The next most popular service is finding help, and at 1771 we have developed AI tools to quickly match the person's needs ... to a service that's nearest to their home,' he said. Adj Assoc Prof Cheok clarified that while AI is used for back-end processes, their online web chat service is '100 per cent manned by a human'. Since the service was trialled earlier this year, the biggest user group is young working adults, followed by the teenage population, he said. A COMMUNITY EFFORT The national mindline is currently operated by a team of 30 full-time counsellors and staff, MOH said. The ministry will launch a pilot in late 2025 to recruit and train volunteers in counselling, psychological first aid, and crisis management. 'We hope to involve the community as part of this national effort so that, hopefully, we can build a more caring, empathic society,' said Adj Assoc Prof Cheok. With the launch of the national mindline 1771, IMH will discontinue its mental health helpline number 6389 2222. To ease the transition to the new helpline, IMH has put a temporary measure to route all calls to national mindline 1771. For the next three months, individuals who call the IMH will hear a recorded message that the number is no longer in use, and their call will be automatically forwarded. Ms Kunaaeswari D/O Padmanappan, a counsellor at the national mindline 1771, told CNA that having an anonymous helpline allows people to be more open to sharing, as there is no judgment involved. After speaking to a caller, she will analyse what they have shared, consolidate their information and see which resources are the best fit. 'We're here to guide because we're counsellors. We don't tell them what to do,' said the 26-year-old. 'We just want them to have the strength to choose what it is that they want to do. So we give them a wide range of options, and then we leave it to them to explore on their own.' With the launch of national mindline 1771, she hopes there will be less stigma for those who want to seek help. 'I think, as time goes by, a lot of people are coming forward to seek help. And that itself is a great start.'

Pakistan launches cybercrime helpline seeking swift action on complaints
Pakistan launches cybercrime helpline seeking swift action on complaints

Arab News

time03-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Arab News

Pakistan launches cybercrime helpline seeking swift action on complaints

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday launched a cybercrime helpline, 1799, that aims to ensure swift resolution of complaints, Pakistani state media reported. The development came during Naqvi's visit to the headquarters of the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which was established earlier this year, the APP news agency reported. The minister toured various departments, including the helpline center, forensic lab and network security section, and appreciated the staff for their efforts to combat cybercrime. 'The helpline is now fully operational, and citizens can lodge cybercrime complaints by calling 1799,' the interior minister was quoted as saying. Pakistan transformed the Cybercrime Wing of its Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) into an autonomous organization and named it the NCCIA in April. It followed the introduction of a new law to regulate social media content, with journalist groups and rights activists saying it was aimed at curbing press freedom and dissent on social media. Enacted in 2016 and further tightened with amendments this January, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was drafted with the stated aim to combat cybercrimes such as hacking, online harassment, and data breaches. Pakistani officials defended the PECA law, under which offenders can be handed prison sentences of up to three years and fines of Rs2 million ($7,200). Naqvi directed NCCIA officials to ensure quick resolution of all complaints, saying the agency was established to meet the demands of the modern digital era, according to the report. He emphasized the need for the use of advanced technology, software and hardware to fight cybercrime effectively and stressed the need to hire talented staff and equiping them with all necessary resources. The development came as authorities announced busting a child sexual abuse ring, allegedly run by a German national, in Azad Kashmir's capital of Muzaffarabad. 'A state-of-the-art facility was formed with modern cameras and over there, children from poor families were exploited by giving money first and then blackmailing,' State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said at a presser on Tuesday. 'Their videos were sold on the dark web.' The NCCIA busted the ring in a five-hour operation on May 23 and arrested two suspects, according to the minister. Ten kids were also found at the facility, of which six were sent to the Child Protection Bureau. 'The German man used to facilitate and sell this [content],' Chaudhry said, without disclosing the identity of the suspect. 'We are trying to reach him legally.' Child sexual abuse has been a widespread issue in Pakistan, where perpetrators are often family members, teachers or trusted people. Poverty, lack of education and societal attitudes contribute to the problem. While laws exist, their implementation remains a challenge. Various NGOs are also working to raise awareness about the issue and support survivors.

Contacts with Dublin Rape Crisis Centre reach record high
Contacts with Dublin Rape Crisis Centre reach record high

BreakingNews.ie

time29-05-2025

  • Health
  • BreakingNews.ie

Contacts with Dublin Rape Crisis Centre reach record high

Calls to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre reached a record high last year, the organisation has revealed. The almost 23,000 contacts made to the centre's helpline in 2024 represented the highest in the DRCC's 46-year history. Advertisement The figures were contained in the organisation's annual report published on Thursday. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, who will launch the report in Dublin on Thursday morning, said the figures were 'hugely concerning'. 'Sexual violence is a crime that has historically been under-reported and this is something I am committed to addressing, and something that is changing as complainants become more confident in our justice system,' he said. 'Many of the figures and statistics in this latest report from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre are hugely concerning but I am encouraged that a significant percentage of those who seek support from DRCC also report to An Garda Síochána.' Advertisement Mr O'Callaghan commended the 'excellent work and unwavering commitment' of the centre. Chief executive of DRCC Rachel Morrogh said contacts with the helpline broke the 20,000 mark for the first time in 2024, reaching a total of 22,700. She said: 'In fact, engagement with the National Helpline increased by over 20% from 2023, bringing the number of contacts to almost 23,000. There are likely a number of drivers behind the increased demand for our 24-hour listening service, including that survivors feel increasingly confident about where to find non-judgmental support, but also the reality that sexual violence is still an insidious and common occurrence in modern Ireland. 'Although we are encouraged by the marked rise in the number of survivors contacting us, we know that this is a fraction of the thousands of people living with trauma who have not yet sought support. Our message to them today is that they are not invisible to us, that they deserve support, and that when they feel ready to talk, we are ready to listen.' Advertisement Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said the figures were 'extremely concerning' (PA) Ms Morrogh said the sharpest increase in activity across the organisation's frontline supports was reported by its therapy service. 'Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's counsellors held almost 6,000 counselling sessions with survivors, an increase of 57 per cent compared to 2023,' she said. 'Specialised counselling unlocks healing for many survivors of sexual violence and we are proud to have supported 637 women and men last year. The number of therapy clients increased by 28 per cent, or 140 people. 'While many people choose not to make a report to An Garda Síochána about what happened to them, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre therapy clients do so at much higher rates than the national average. The Central Statistics Office has reported that tiny numbers of people who have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime have reported it to the Gardaí. There are many reasons for this, ranging from a fear of not being believed or thinking they are in some way to blame or that what happened was not serious enough. Amongst our new therapy clients last year however, the reporting rate was 27 per cent. Advertisement 'We are honoured to support our clients through the justice system, which can be a very difficult process for many. Every time there is a conviction and sentence for a sexual offence, we know it is felt as a victory for those who will never have their day in court or have the validation and catharsis of a guilty verdict.' – The 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline is available on 1800 778888

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