The Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) has announced a new initiative to provide free counselling services to the 60,000 workers in the Orchard Road precinct. This one-year pilot programme, Counselling @ Work Great, is a response to the increasing demand for mental health support, particularly concerning issues like vaping. The counselling sessions will be conducted by in-training psychotherapists and can be accessed online or at designated locations such as *SCAPE at Orchard Link and Soundproof Meetings Pods at Mandarin Gallery.
Mark Shaw, Chairman of ORBA, emphasised the importance of addressing mental health openly: “At ORBA we see the importance of encouraging conversations about mental health. No one should feel ashamed if they are struggling, and it is important to know when and how to reach out for help.”
The initiative is part of ORBA’s SG60 effort to give back to the community, aiming to combat the stigma surrounding mental health services. It is available to individuals of all ages, addressing issues from burnout to family challenges. This programme is an extension of ORBA’s Work Great on A Great Street campaign, launched in collaboration with the Health Promotion Board in 2017.
Ethen Ong, Deputy Executive Director at *SCAPE, highlighted the initiative’s role in empowering youth: “With initiatives like Counselling @ Work Great, we hope to break down barriers around mental health and encourage more young people to reach out for support when they need it.”
The programme reflects ORBA’s commitment to fostering a supportive community, ensuring that mental health resources are accessible to those who need them.
