In observance of World Mental Health Month, which occurs every October, Nunchi Marine directed our October philanthropic efforts towards Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), a non-profit organisation dedicated to crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

Singapore has experienced an upward trend in suicide cases over the years, with 2022 marking the highest number in more than two decades. This increase has been particularly notable among young people and the elderly, with the stigma surrounding mental health being one of the potential contributing factors.

The pain experienced by the families of those affected by suicide is truly devastating and unfathomable. The presence of mental health stigma often serves as a hindrance and acts as a formidable barrier for individuals who are in distress and need help.  This stigma can lead to tragic outcomes, resulting in life-altering consequences for themselves and their loved ones.

SOS, established in 1969, is dedicated to averting these tragedies by offering confidential emotional support to individuals grappling with crisis, contemplating suicide, or impacted by it.

We stand in solidarity with SOS and their unceasing efforts to provide care for those who suffer in silence, while also aspiring to eradicate the societal stigma surrounding mental health in a culture where high societal expectations prevail.