Youths Seeking Counselling and Mental Health Support after Succumbing to Scams

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has data on how many youths are currently seeking counselling and mental health support after succumbing to scams; (b) as many young victims do not actively seek help, what is the potential size of this problem; (c) what support is available to help youths to open up about their problems; and (d) whether there are any collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Home Affairs to address the intertwined problems of scams and mental health distress.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Based on Singapore Police Force (SPF)’s data in 2022, about 10,000 youths aged 10 to 29 were victims of scams in 2022. SPF and the Ministry of Health do not track the number of youths or young adults who actively seek help after they have been scammed.

The SPF’s Victim Care Cadre programme provides support to affected victims, including scam victims. Police would activate volunteer Victim Care Officers (VCOs), who work with the Police Psychological Services Department to provide psychological first aid. Where necessary, the VCOs would direct victims to available community and professional resources for longer-term psychological and financial support.

Youths and young adults with mental health needs can seek help from Youth Community Outreach Teams, Youth Integrated Teams and Community Health Assessment Teams. In schools, students with mental health issues may seek help from school counsellors and be referred to the Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health teams if needed.