SINGAPORE: Singapore is facing a "mental health crisis" that the government must do "much, much more" to address, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan said on Sunday (Apr 27).
In his speech at a rally outside Sun Plaza on Sunday night, Dr Chee linked poor mental health in Singapore to cost of living pressures and cramped spaces.
He called on Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, the anchor minister for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), to do more to tackle the crisis.
"There's no point in increasing the support network for Singaporeans without tackling the root causes of the problem. When you're mopping the floor, do you not turn off the tap first?" he asked.
Nine candidates spoke in the rally held near Sun Plaza in Sembawang GRC, where SDP vice-chairman Bryan Lim, Ms Surayah Akbar, Dr James Gomez, Mr Damanhuri Abas and Mr Alfred Tan are contesting.
They are in a three-cornered fight against the People's Action Party (PAP) team anchored by Mr Ong and the National Solidarity Party slate led by secretary-general Spencer Ng.
During Saturday's rally, SDP unveiled its Sembawang town plan that includes co-working spaces and storage places in void decks for residents.
On Sunday, Dr Chee said one of the most important proposals was a mental health wellness centre for youths that offers drop-in counselling services, peer support groups, as well as mental health, education and creative workshops to build resilience.
He also said there was a need to create more "green open spaces" for Sembawang residents, especially youths and the elderly, as this has been shown to be beneficial for mental health.
An Institute of Mental Health study last year found that about one in three young people between 15 and 35 years in Singapore reported experiencing severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or stress.
Dr Chee, who is vying against the PAP's Ms Poh Li San in Sembawang West Single Member Constituency (SMC), questioned whether she had spoken up in parliament against rising costs.
"When parliament voted to increase the GST to 9 per cent, what did she do? When her party raised water prices in 2024 and 2025, how did she vote? When the government increased bus and MRT fares, did she speak up?
"When her party increased petrol duty by 23 per cent, did she vote against it? When the town council raised your fees, did she even try to stop it?" he asked the crowd.
Dr Chee said voters deserve "someone who will be your unwavering voice in parliament", and that the SDP was ready to do that.
SDP candidate for Sembawang GRC Surayah Akbar speaks at a rally held outside Sun Plaza on Apr 27, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Ooi Boon Keong)
SDP's Sembawang GRC candidates also took aim at the cost of living in their speeches.
Ms Surayah reiterated the SDP's call to scrap the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on essentials like food, medicine and baby formula.
"Cut hidden costs like COE (Certificate of Entitlement) premiums that have turned your family car into a luxury you're not allowed to afford," she said.
She also proposed lowering utility prices, because "turning on the fan during a heatwave shouldn't feel like a financial decision".
She also called for a reform of housing prices that did not involve "paying for market value on land that the government already owns".
"We're not asking for a miracle, just balance. Deny the PAP another supermajority that they desperately seek. Deny them a blank cheque, because when power is unchecked, the people pay the price and pay it with interest," she said.
Sunday's rally began almost an hour late, with the rain clearing before the first speaker took the stage close to 8pm.
The rally started with Dr Chee apologising for Dr Gigene Wong's use of a racial slur against her teammate, Mr Ariffin Sha.
Dr Wong and Mr Ariffin are both part of the SDP's team in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
SDP is fielding 11 candidates across four constituencies in the polls on May 3. Besides Sembawang and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRCs, they are contesting in Sembawang West and Bukit Panjang SMCs.
This article will be updated. Please refresh for the latest.
You can watch livestreams of all rallies on CNA's GE2025 site, CNA's YouTube channel and on mewatch.
Continue reading...
In his speech at a rally outside Sun Plaza on Sunday night, Dr Chee linked poor mental health in Singapore to cost of living pressures and cramped spaces.
He called on Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, the anchor minister for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), to do more to tackle the crisis.
"There's no point in increasing the support network for Singaporeans without tackling the root causes of the problem. When you're mopping the floor, do you not turn off the tap first?" he asked.
Nine candidates spoke in the rally held near Sun Plaza in Sembawang GRC, where SDP vice-chairman Bryan Lim, Ms Surayah Akbar, Dr James Gomez, Mr Damanhuri Abas and Mr Alfred Tan are contesting.
They are in a three-cornered fight against the People's Action Party (PAP) team anchored by Mr Ong and the National Solidarity Party slate led by secretary-general Spencer Ng.
During Saturday's rally, SDP unveiled its Sembawang town plan that includes co-working spaces and storage places in void decks for residents.
On Sunday, Dr Chee said one of the most important proposals was a mental health wellness centre for youths that offers drop-in counselling services, peer support groups, as well as mental health, education and creative workshops to build resilience.
He also said there was a need to create more "green open spaces" for Sembawang residents, especially youths and the elderly, as this has been shown to be beneficial for mental health.
An Institute of Mental Health study last year found that about one in three young people between 15 and 35 years in Singapore reported experiencing severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or stress.
Related:
COST OF LIVING
Dr Chee, who is vying against the PAP's Ms Poh Li San in Sembawang West Single Member Constituency (SMC), questioned whether she had spoken up in parliament against rising costs.
"When parliament voted to increase the GST to 9 per cent, what did she do? When her party raised water prices in 2024 and 2025, how did she vote? When the government increased bus and MRT fares, did she speak up?
"When her party increased petrol duty by 23 per cent, did she vote against it? When the town council raised your fees, did she even try to stop it?" he asked the crowd.
Dr Chee said voters deserve "someone who will be your unwavering voice in parliament", and that the SDP was ready to do that.
SDP candidate for Sembawang GRC Surayah Akbar speaks at a rally held outside Sun Plaza on Apr 27, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Ooi Boon Keong)
SDP's Sembawang GRC candidates also took aim at the cost of living in their speeches.
Ms Surayah reiterated the SDP's call to scrap the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on essentials like food, medicine and baby formula.
"Cut hidden costs like COE (Certificate of Entitlement) premiums that have turned your family car into a luxury you're not allowed to afford," she said.
She also proposed lowering utility prices, because "turning on the fan during a heatwave shouldn't feel like a financial decision".
She also called for a reform of housing prices that did not involve "paying for market value on land that the government already owns".
"We're not asking for a miracle, just balance. Deny the PAP another supermajority that they desperately seek. Deny them a blank cheque, because when power is unchecked, the people pay the price and pay it with interest," she said.
Sunday's rally began almost an hour late, with the rain clearing before the first speaker took the stage close to 8pm.
The rally started with Dr Chee apologising for Dr Gigene Wong's use of a racial slur against her teammate, Mr Ariffin Sha.
Dr Wong and Mr Ariffin are both part of the SDP's team in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
SDP is fielding 11 candidates across four constituencies in the polls on May 3. Besides Sembawang and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRCs, they are contesting in Sembawang West and Bukit Panjang SMCs.
This article will be updated. Please refresh for the latest.
Related:
You can watch livestreams of all rallies on CNA's GE2025 site, CNA's YouTube channel and on mewatch.Continue reading...