A new national mental health helpline and textline, called Mindline 1771, has been officially launched to provide 24/7 emotional support and guidance to anyone facing mental health challenges in Singapore. The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced the service aims to offer a safe, anonymous space for people in distress to reach out.
The helpline, accessible via phone (1771), WhatsApp (+65-6669-1771), and webchat at mindline.sg/fsmh, ensures multiple ways for individuals to seek help in the manner most comfortable for them.
Mindline 1771 is staffed by trained counsellors who provide free, anonymous support to anyone in need. They offer emotional counselling, help answer questions about mental health, and direct people to the right services for further care.
MOH said this multi-channel approach makes it easier for people to choose how they want to communicate — whether they prefer calling, messaging, or chatting online.
The launch comes as mental health issues continue to rise, especially among young people. A recent national study by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) found that 1 in 3 youth aged 15–35 reported severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress.
Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, described Mindline 1771 as the “first stop” for anyone seeking mental health support.
“There are over 200 community mental health touchpoints, but the system can be confusing,” he said. “Mindline 1771 helps guide people to the right kind of help faster — whether it’s seeing a doctor, getting social support, or dealing with a crisis.”
Currently, Mindline 1771 is run by about 30 full-time counsellors and staff. Most people who use the helpline call to talk about emotional stress. Others ask for help finding local support services.
To make the service more efficient, the team uses AI tools in the background to match users with services close to home. However, the online chat remains fully handled by real people, ensuring human connection at all times.
Adjunct Associate Professor Christopher Cheok, who heads Mindline 1771, emphasized that the main goal is to make help easily accessible and human-centered.
According to Prof. Cheok, the largest group using Mindline so far includes young working adults, followed closely by teenagers. Many people feel more comfortable talking when they know it’s anonymous, he said.
Counsellor Ms. Kunaaeswari D/O Padmanappan, 26, explained that callers often feel less judged when speaking anonymously. “We’re here to guide, not to tell them what to do,” she said. “We give them the strength and the choices — they decide what they want.”
To streamline support, the IMH’s previous helpline (6389 2222) will be phased out. Over the next three months, all calls to the old number will automatically be forwarded to Mindline 1771, ensuring a smooth transition.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Health plans to train volunteers in basic counselling and crisis support. A pilot program to recruit community members will launch in late 2025, aimed at building a more caring and understanding society.
Prof. Cheok said the long-term goal is to empower communities to support each other better. “Mental health is not just a medical issue — it’s a community effort,” he added.
As more people become open to seeking help, Ms. Kunaaeswari said she hopes the stigma around mental health will fade.
“People are starting to come forward — and that, in itself, is a great beginning,” she said.
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