Need someone to talk to? Youth in S’pore can turn to trained listeners in new initiative
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SINGAPORE — Young people in Singapore who want a listening ear but are reluctant to step into a counsellor’s office can turn to a new initiative.Called Chat Circles, the programme matches them with a trained volunteer to have an hour-long conversation aboNeed someone to talk to? Youth in S’pore can turn to trained listeners in new initiative
SINGAPORE — Young people in Singapore who want a listening ear but are reluctant to step into a counsellor’s office can turn to a new initiative.Called Chat Circles, the programme matches them with a trained volunteer to have an hour-long conversation about things weighing on their minds.Social enterprise Empact, which launched the initiative on Aug 26, promises a space “free from clinical assessments, unsolicited advice or expectations”.Up to 20 young people can join each session, which will run monthly from August through to July 2027. Empact plans to work with tertiary institutions to hold sessions on campus, as well as other community partners such as charities serving underprivileged youth.Chat Circles is part of a new series of mental well-being and resilience programmes aimed at supporting youth through life transitions, under the five-year SG Youth Plan launched by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Youth Council (NYC). Read more
