It was the call that all parents dread – news that his 17-year-old son took his life. Five years on, “Sean” still grapples with the reasons why. The reality is that one in three young people in Singapore experience significant mental health challenges. What’s driving these numbers? Crispina Robert goes in search of answers and speaks to people living through their own darkness and professionals on the frontlines.  

WHERE TO SEEK HELP  

If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, please consider reaching out to one of the helplines below.   

Youthline: +65 6436 6612 (call), 8533 9460 (text) and over email at [email protected]. Youthline provides free mental health support to youth via phone, email or a live chat service. It runs from 9am to midnight daily. Calls outside of operating hours are redirected to Samaritans of Singapore or the Singapore Civil Defence Force for emergency medical services.  

Samaritans of Singapore: 1767 (call), 9151 1767 (WhatsApp text) and over email at [email protected]. Samaritans of Singapore provides round-the-clock confidential emotional support for individuals in crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide. The call and text-based services are operational 24 hours a day, every day of the week.  

National Mindline: 1771 (call), 6669 1771 (WhatsApp) and through online webchat on the http://mindline.sg/fsmh website. This is a round-the-clock confidential national-level helpline. Beyond immediate counselling, those who require more support can be directed to the appropriate care and resources.  

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When Sneha left the hospital after her suicide attempt, she returned to a reality she loathed. But that proved to be a critical turning point and set her on the road to recovery. With the national infrastructure ramping up to help young people cope with their mental health challenges, other deeper shifts in their personal lives deserve attention too. But who holds the key to tackling these? In part two, Crispina Robert investigates the crucial ingredients to combat this mental health scourge. 

WHERE TO SEEK HELP  

If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, please consider reaching out to one of the helplines below.   

Youthline: +65 6436 6612 (call), 8533 9460 (text) and over email at [email protected]. Youthline provides free mental health support to youth via phone, email or a live chat service. It runs from 9am to midnight daily. Calls outside of operating hours are redirected to Samaritans of Singapore or the Singapore Civil Defence Force for emergency medical services.  

Samaritans of Singapore: 1767 (call), 9151 1767 (WhatsApp text) and over email at [email protected]. Samaritans of Singapore provides round-the-clock confidential emotional support for individuals in crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide. The call and text-based services are operational 24 hours a day, every day of the week.  

National Mindline: 1771 (call), 6669 1771 (WhatsApp) and through online webchat on the http://mindline.sg/fsmh website. This is a round-the-clock confidential national-level helpline. Beyond immediate counselling, those who require more support can be directed to the appropriate care and resources.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcast host Xander investigates Chia Teck Leng’s 20-year-old case, uncovering the truth behind the man and his first taste of gambling. Was Chia a skilled player, or just a man chasing a losing hand? 

Directed by Ken Minehan
Written by Juliana Seah
Produced by Savitha Arumugam and Toh Shermin
Sound Design: Gryd
Executive Producers: Audrey Anthoney and Jeevan Nathan
Commissioning Editor: Shamala Rajendran

This podcast series is produced by Protagonist by M for CNA.

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From the ashes of the devastation wrought by the 2004 Boxing Day Asian tsunami, emerges a precious chance for peace, change and growth. In the second of a special two-part CNA podcast, survivors talk about overcoming trauma, and how future generations are being prepared for the next natural disaster. This podcast is adapted from the CNA documentary “The Waves that Changed Us”.

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The devastating Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 swallowed entire communities. Twenty years on, survivors share how the enduring grief lingers on in their lives. In the first of a special two-part CNA podcast, we tell the stories of those whose lives are forever changed. This podcast is adapted from the CNA documentary “The Waves that Changed Us”.

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Getting confined was a shared experience in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. At one point, as many as 300 million people across 70 cities were in some form of a lockdown under the government’s strict zero-COVID policy. But imagine being trapped in a place you can’t leave. In the second of a two-part special, CNA correspondent Wei Du hears the heartbreaking stories of two people who found that the longest journey in the world, was the one to get back home.

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"There were only two things on my mind, to find food and to not go crazy.” For millions of residents in China, the mandatory lockdown in mid-2022 still lingers like a recurring nightmare. In the first of a two-part special, CNA correspondent Wei Du traces the steps of people whose lives were upended by China’s zero-COVID policy and who are still grappling with the sudden end of it.

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In the second of a two-part special, Singaporean swindler Jerald Low tells his version of the story from behind bars and the interview raises the question: Can you believe every word he says? Singapore’s first criminal forensic psychologist weighs in and gives us a peek into the mind of a serial swindler. For its insightful look into criminal psychology, this narrative podcast won Gold for Crime & Mystery at the w3 awards.

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In the first of a two-part special, the Serial Swindler dives into the crimes of 27-year-old Jerald Low, arguably Singapore's most prolific serial scammer. To some of his victims, he’s a shrewd investor who is always on the lookout for the next business opportunity. To others, he’s searching for the love of his life. Who is the real Jerald Low? And how does he convince so many people to believe his web of lies? For its insightful look into criminal psychology, this narrative podcast won Gold for Crime & Mystery at the w3 awards.

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Physical injuries are par for the course for any professional athlete. Yet, behind their blood, sweat and tears to achieve sporting success, another foe lurks – an insidious adversary existing in their minds. In this special CNA podcast, national swimmer Quah Ting Wen and mixed martial arts fighter Angela Lee-Pucci share why it took them so long to talk openly about their mental health struggles and how they have learnt to tame their minds.

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