SINGAPORE — In a groundbreaking move, two mental health charities in Singapore—Resilience Collective (RC) and Caregivers Alliance (CAL)—are merging to enhance the breadth of support they provide to individuals at various stages of life. This strategic merger aims to address the evolving mental health needs of both youth and their caregivers, expanding access to services and support across generations.
Resilience Collective, established in 2018, has been at the forefront of offering peer-to-peer support for youth in mental health recovery. On the other hand, Caregivers Alliance, which was founded in 2011, has focused on assisting those who care for individuals with mental health conditions. Despite their different focuses, the integration of RC into CAL will bring together these two critical groups, fostering a deeper, cross-generational understanding of mental health.
The merged entity, which will unveil its new brand by July, aims to provide a more comprehensive range of services to its growing community. Together, the organizations will reach more than 10,000 caregivers and approximately 2,000 individuals in mental health recovery. The merger will also result in an expanded team, with CAL’s staff increasing to 59 after incorporating RC’s nine staff members.
Expanding Services for Broader Support
One of the key goals of the merger is to introduce cross-age programs, including peer support groups, that allow individuals to attend alongside their parents or caregivers. These initiatives are designed to promote recovery by offering not just mental health support, but also education and tools for self-care. The new CAL will serve as a one-stop shop for community wellness, not only for those facing mental health challenges but also for the wider community.
“People should be able to journey through mental health challenges and find ways to resume everyday life,” said Hsieh Fu Hua, a finance industry veteran who co-founded both charities and chairs CAL’s board. Hsieh emphasized the need for a more unified and comprehensive approach to mental health in Singapore, where services are often fragmented and inaccessible to those who need them most.
A Personal Journey Toward Understanding
The importance of community-based care is particularly close to Hsieh’s heart. Reflecting on his own experience in 2000, when he sought psychiatric treatment for his daughter, Hsieh recalled a pivotal moment when the psychiatrist asked him what he wanted for her. “A stupid parent like me said: ‘I wanted her to go back to school,’” he shared. Unfortunately, this session did not lead to a positive outcome, and his daughter later rejected further psychiatric help.
Over time, Hsieh came to understand the long-term nature of mental health conditions and the crucial role of community support. “The journey of recovery is actually in the community, at home, and how you live day to day,” he explained. For him, it became clear that both the individual experiencing mental health struggles and their caregivers must be supported throughout the recovery process.
This philosophy aligns with the mission of the merged CAL. Rather than seeing mental health as a binary condition, Hsieh encourages viewing it as a “state of mind”—something that evolves over time. “The goal is to help people break free from the states of mind that trap them,” he said, stressing that mental health challenges are not insurmountable but require long-term, community-based solutions.
Looking Ahead: Prevention and Holistic Support
Under the leadership of Mr. Tim Oei, who became CAL’s CEO in February, the merged entity is focusing on a more proactive approach to mental health. One of CAL’s new priorities is to work with secondary students, teachers, and parent networks to promote preventive care. The organization has already started reaching out to local schools to build these early intervention efforts.
Additionally, CAL is expanding its physical presence in the community, with new “outposts” at key locations such as the Institute of Mental Health, National University Hospital, Alexandra Hospital, and several other medical centers and wellness clinics. These outposts will serve as easily accessible points for individuals to seek help, whether for themselves or their loved ones.
As part of its broader vision, CAL also plans to offer counseling services and psychotherapy, extending its support beyond mental health recovery. The organization will also work to assist full-time caregivers in finding employment, recognizing the economic challenges that often accompany caregiving.
“Whether you are facing mental health challenges, need caregiver support, or want to learn how to support someone in distress, we’re here to help,” Oei said. “If you don’t know where to start, just come to us. There’s no wrong door.”
By merging the resources and expertise of RC and CAL, this new, unified approach aims to support individuals and families across the spectrum of mental health needs, ensuring that no one in Singapore has to face their challenges alone.
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