Budget 2026: Youths want stronger mental health staffing, youth-friendly services, and mental health literacy
Pulse of Tomorrow’s Junior Council carried a motion by Cogan Ng urging Budget 2026 to prioritise expanded mental health staffing, youth-friendly services, and mental health literacy. The proposal focuses on faster access to help, clearer pathways, and stronger early recognition and support for youths.
Pulse of Tomorrow's Junior Council carried a motion moved by Cogan Ng calling on Budget 2026 to prioritise expanded staffing, youth-friendly services, and mental health literacy initiatives. The outcome is clear: youths are asking for faster access to support, services that feel safe and approachable, and stronger everyday knowledge so more people know what to do before a situation becomes a crisis.
Why this matters for youths in Singapore
For many young people, stress does not come from one big event. It builds quietly across school demands, family pressures, social expectations, and uncertainty about the future. When support is hard to access or confusing to navigate, youths may delay seeking help. That delay can worsen outcomes and affect learning, relationships, and daily functioning.
The underlying problem: demand and access
Singapore has been strengthening mental health support across healthcare and the community. MOH has outlined efforts such as expanding mental health services in polyclinics and growing community care options, so that support can be accessed beyond specialist settings. At the same time, national youth surveys continue to surface mental wellbeing as a key concern, with stress and mental health challenges affecting young Singaporeans and their families.
What “expanded staffing” and “youth-friendly services” mean in practice
From a youth perspective, these priorities translate into practical improvements: - Shorter waits and more capacity across counselling, therapy, and community supports. - Youth-friendly touchpoints that are easier to approach, including clear information on what happens when you seek help. - Services that feel non-judgmental, accessible, and designed around how youths actually live and communicate.
Why mental health literacy is not optional
Mental health literacy is the baseline skill that helps people recognise early signs, respond appropriately, and support friends without guessing. MOH’s public education efforts, including MindSG, show the direction of travel: make credible information easy to find, reduce stigma, and guide people to services. Budget support for literacy initiatives can help schools, families, and communities build a shared language for mental wellbeing.
How Pulse of Tomorrow's Junior Council is acting
Pulse of Tomorrow's Junior Council is consolidating the Budget 2026 recommendations adopted at the meeting and will share youth-grounded feedback on what improves access and trust in mental health support. We also aim to do our part through youth-safe conversations, responsible signposting to credible resources, and community initiatives that normalise seeking help early.
Why join Pulse of Tomorrow
If you want to turn lived youth experiences into constructive proposals and community action, join Pulse of Tomorrow, a youth-led civic platform where young people learn, contribute, and lead through ideas, service, and responsible advocacy. For media queries, contact [email protected] or call +65 6042 5410.
