Excessive social media use can affect mental health and shrink people’s social circles. But encouraging people to put down their phones and reduce screen time cannot be left to the government alone. Community programmes can also give residents from all walks of life opportunities to connect.
During a ministerial community visit to Tampines East on Saturday (31 October), Education Minister Desmond Lee stressed that community-led efforts can support government initiatives from the ground up. Accompanied by Tampines GRC MP Dr Charlene Chen, he visited Tampines East Community Club to learn about local initiatives. These included mental health activities for young people, the Tampines East CAREkaki programme and Playdate @ Tampines East.
Under CAREkaki, community volunteers, grassroots leaders and residents organise activities for people with special needs and their caregivers to widen their social circles. Playdate organises fun activities for children, such as gardening and nature exploration, to encourage them to spend less time on screens.
Speaking to the media, Lee said mental health was part of an individual’s overall health. Technology offers convenience, but excessive screen use can also have negative effects and reduce face-to-face interaction. Community organisations can work with the government to create opportunities for people, including the young and old, to interact.
Lee, who is also Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, said the government’s inter-agency Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities had recently announced a series of recommendations to support persons with disabilities and their families. Tampines East’s CAREkaki programme supports these efforts by organising meaningful activities for people with special needs and their families. It gives those with special needs a platform to showcase their talents, while providing caregivers with respite and a support network.
Tampines East grassroots organisations said they had recruited more than 30 volunteers since February this year to support the programme. More than 5,000 families are registered with CaringSG, an organisation supporting caregivers of people with special needs. Over 100 of these families live in Tampines GRC, including 45 in Tampines East.
