Expansion of SkillsFuture's Subsidised Courses in Counselling and Psychological First Aid to Address Growing Community Mental Health Needs

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Dr Charlene Chen asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) will expand SkillsFuture's subsidised course offerings in counselling and psychological first aid, to further equip mid-career switchers and community volunteers with the necessary skills to support growing mental health needs on the ground.

The Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) works with sector agencies to determine the courses which are required by the respective industries. The SWDA currently funds more than 100 courses, spanning a wide range of mental health-related fields. These courses equip participants with skills in areas, such as resilience and self-care, psychological assessment and psychological intervention.

Beyond SkillsFuture programmes, the Health Promotion Board and the Agency for Integrated Care also support training in mental health-related fields. While there are currently no plans to expand the course offerings, SWDA will continue to work with sector agencies to review the range of courses periodically, taking into account the requirements to support mental health and well-being needs.