New online mental health forum inspired by Reddit offers 'safe space' for youths to seek advice, professional help

SINGAPORE — A digital mental health forum, inspired by online discussion site Reddit, has been launched to provide youth with a safe space to exchange advice, information and stories with peers.

Named “Let’s Talk”, the platform includes Ask-a-Therapist, a feature that allow users to pose mental health-related questions to a panel of qualified professionals, with a 24-hour response time, among others.

Other features include a virtual space for users to discuss topics ranging from student life to adulting, weekly self-care activities to do with family and friends, and an events schedule in the mental health space.

The initiative by the Ministry of Health Office for Healthcare Transformation (MOHT), in partnership with the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), seeks to harness the power of online communities to create strong support networks for young people.

It also aims to provide “an option for youths who wish to access help but are hesitant to take the first step for face-to-face intervention, or those who are seeking validation and comfort from a moderated community,” MOHT said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 14).

The forum is monitored and managed by trained moderators and professional therapists. And it is "designed to preserve anonymity", MOHT said.

It added that the forum was developed collaboratively with students and young working adults.

“They contributed insights on the common mental health challenges faced by young people in Singapore and key barriers to seeking help based on their lived experience.”

Ms Tricia Tan, 24, one of the young adults who contributed to the platform’s creation said that the forum was inspired by other popular community discussion sites such as Reddit.

The National University of Singapore student said: “The youth team spoke to our friends and families to get ideas and inspiration. Many of them mentioned using open forum sites like Reddit to discuss topics like exams, peer pressure and relationship issues.

“Our team started conducting observations on these sites, and we noticed that some youths would also share about their mental health concerns within these discussion threads.

“This inspired us to create our own version of 'Reddit' designed specifically to address the mental health concerns of youths in Singapore.”

'LOWER RISK OF BEING JUDGED, STIGMATISED'

The mental health platform was soft-launched in 2023, with beta testing involving more than 200 young people showing that more than 90 per cent of them found it effective in facilitating peer support.

More than 80 per cent of respondents also felt safe expressing their thoughts and feelings on the platform, while a similar proportion intended to recommend it to their friends.

“Convenience, as well as a lower risk of being judged and stigmatised, were reasons cited by youths as to why they preferred to share online as compared to in person,” MOHT said.

“Many felt that a platform like 'Let's Talk' provides a safe space for candid and open sharing.”

All engaged therapists on the platform are registered under recognised professional counselling bodies, including the Singapore Association for Counselling.

Apart from providing professional mental health support, “Let’s Talk” also offers opportunities for trained peer supporters to apply their skills, such as understanding common mental health challenges, recognising signs that someone needs help and communicating with others in need of support, as well as strategies for self-care and coping.

Polytechnic student Ashley Poo, 24, who experienced burnout, described the support she received from the platform’s peer supporters and therapists as a “positive experience”.

“They advised me to establish clear boundaries for work hours and dedicate time for breaks to avoid burnout. Additionally, they encouraged me to engage in self-care activities to find motivation and meaning outside of work.”

Another user, Ms Ho Yue Ling, said that receiving encouraging responses on the forums made her feel less lonely in her mental health journey.

The 18-year-old polytechnic student added: “When I wrote my first forum post, I received many encouraging and empathetic responses. They assured me that I am not alone, and that there are many other users willing to help me through my struggles.”

The platform has received more than 80,000 unique visitors, MOHT said, adding that around 5,000 registered users have put up more than 3,000 posts.

Highlighting the growing relevance and popularity of digital mental health support, Ms Janice Weng, deputy director at MOHT, said: “Traditionally, peer support is delivered in person at a group or individual level. There are limitations to scalability and issues with access due to stigma and availability.

“Digital peer support is breaking down these barriers by delivering peer support services to youths where they are most often at — their mobile devices. Individuals can remain anonymous and get timely support from trained peers and professionals in a safe and supportive online environment."

Let's Talk is also supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the National Council of Social Service.