A Singapore Youth Epidemiology and Resilience Study released in 2022 found that one in every three youths aged 11 to 18 in Singapore has mental health issues such as sadness, anxiety and loneliness.
To meet the growing needs of youth in Singapore, The Salvation Army Singapore runs a Youth Development Centre at Kallang Bahru with the aim of empowering young persons and reconnecting them with their families.
The centre reaches out to latchkey youth-at-risk from low to middle income families, in particular those facing issues at home or in school. It provides counselling and aftercare services, sports and other social activities, music and art programmes and mentoring as well as volunteer tutors dropping by on a regular basis to coach them.
“Youths today face many different struggles. We want to provide a safe place for interaction with one another, to talk to our team of trained youth workers and in turn receive guidance to find solutions to improve their mental and spiritual well-being,” said Lt Elizabeth Zachariah, Youth and Children Officer, Singapore District.
Through an array of engaging activities and programmes such as tchoukball, dance, music and skills workshops, the Youth Development Centre staff and volunteers befriend the youth, earn their trust and guide them to overcome their challenges. The centre also aims to inculcate good values and impart life skills to help them become responsible adolescents. In addition, the centre provides aftercare services for children and youth who have been discharged from the Army’s residential homes as well as those who are in non-residential care but require further monitoring.
“Their openness to receiving help can vary. It is important to approach youth with empathy and understanding, build trust and rapport, and let them know there are people who are able to help them. In some cases, a child may need more time to come around to the idea of seeking help, and it may be necessary to gently encourage and support them over a period of time,” said Dr Natasha Mitter, Clinical Psychologist and Head of the Clinical Team for Residential Services in the Army’s Children and Youth Group.