WSH Council Launches Handbook to Bridge Critical Gap in Workplace Mental Health Support

13 Oct 2025 Press Releases

1. The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council launched the Handbook on Supporting Employees’ Mental Health today at the Well-being Champions Network’s engagement session, officiated by Senior Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) for Manpower Mr Shawn Huang.
   
   
2. The Handbook’s intent is to help employers better support their employees’ mental health. The Handbook complements earlier-published resources, which mostly covered support for mentally well employees, by addressing the gap in practical, locally contextualised guidance relevant for those at risk of, and recovering from, mental health conditions.       
   
   Guiding Employers to Provide Better Workplace Mental Health Support     
    
3. The Handbook was developed by a tripartite workgroup under the WSH Council’s Mental Well-being Committee. It was shaped through extensive engagement, including a month-long public consultation in October 2024 and discussions with employers, unions, HR practitioners, social service agencies, and mental health professionals, as well as feedback from employees.
   
   
4. The key recommendations in the Handbook focus on three areas: 
   i. building a supportive culture,
   ii. putting in place systems of care, and
   iii. helping employees recovering from mental health conditions return to work with confidence. 
   
   
5. The Handbook’s recommendations are voluntary and flexible, allowing organisations, including SMEs, to adopt the recommended practices based on their specific needs and implementation feasibility. Employers who need guidance on who they can turn to for training or professional advice on mental health can refer to the Handbook’s directory of service providers.  
   
   
6. It also features case studies from local organisations, including SMEs, on how they have implemented support measures in line with the spirit of the Handbook’s recommendations.
   
   
7. Employers who want to put the Handbook into practice may learn more through the Beyond the Label Collective’s “Return to Work” (RTW) workshop, developed and conducted by National University of Singapore, in collaboration with the National Council of Social Service. The two runs this year have equipped 42 human resources (HR) professionals across sectors with tools to support employees transitioning back to work after mental health-related absences. More than 87% of participants indicated the workshops provided practical tools to translate policies into action, with 63% expressing intent to establish structured RTW systems within their organisations.
   
   
8. Ms Aileen Tan, WSH Council Member and Chairperson of its Mental Well-being Committee, noted, “Employers increasingly recognise the importance of supporting their employees’ mental health and well-being. This Handbook offers practical guidance to help organisations turn good intentions into meaningful action.”
   
   Support for Handbook from Tripartite Partners and Key Stakeholders   
    
9. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) also welcomed the launch, emphasising that the Handbook strengthens tripartite partnership in promoting healthier, more supportive workplaces for both employers and employees. 
   
   
10. Mr Melvin Yong, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General, said, “Mental well-being is an integral part of WSH. Every worker deserves a workplace where they feel safe, respected and supported – not just physically, but mentally too. This Handbook empowers workers to better understand their rights and the support available to them, while encouraging open conversations about mental health at the workplace. NTUC will continue to work with our tripartite partners to strengthen mental well-being and workplace safety, so that every worker can thrive in a healthier and more resilient workplace.” 
    
    
11. Mr Jerry Seah, Senior Director, Centre for Workplace Development at the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), shared that “SNEF is proud to contribute to the development of the Handbook which provides employers with practical guidance to strengthen workplace well-being. Mental health is an essential part of a safe and productive workplace, and this resource helps employers take meaningful steps to support their employees’ mental health. Employers can use this Handbook to develop tailored initiatives, strengthen their organisational practices, and foster a culture of care and support within their workplaces. As with the development of the Handbook, SNEF will continue to work closely with our tripartite partners to build healthier and more progressive workplaces across Singapore.”
    
    Please refer to Annex A for attributable quotes from partner organisations.