Lim Wee Teng June, Ministry of Education
As the elderly population grows in Singapore, I pay more attention to causes that help the elderly and their caregivers. Recently, I read a comment from a geriatric healthcare worker who said: “If it takes a village to raise a child, then what more to take care of an elderly person who has more complex needs?”
This really got me thinking. With an ageing population, families with seniors might quickly experience burnout.
I feel we should start educating students on how they can help at home, in a manner that preserves the dignity of their seniors. This can be done by teaching youths practical steps on how to care for their grandparents. Let’s start them young with age-appropriate chores so that they grow up knowing that caring for the aged is a natural way to show love and respect for seniors among us.
Lee Ning Jiang, Nanyang Polytechnic
I believe in the need for more social awareness about mental health. Singaporeans have access to a variety of support services and tools to receive the necessary help. However, due to the stigma of mental health being detrimental to one’s career or social status, many may choose not to share about their struggles and instead suffer in silence.
An important message for the public is that people who seek help are not weak. Instead, they are courageous as they acknowledge their struggles and are making an intentional effort to recover.
Fernandez Alex Joseph, Land Transport Authority
I am most passionate about racial and religious harmony. As a minority, I am grateful to live in a country that emphasises this. Yet, despite the great achievements made, we should not be complacent and must continue to find ways to preserve Singapore's hard-earned racial and religious harmony.
I am passionate about this because of the consequences should disharmony arise. Nobody wants to see history repeat itself. My hope is that Singaporeans are willing to step out of their comfort zones to learn about others who are different from them.
I particularly enjoyed playing the game “To Be You”, funded by the Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth. This interactive game dives into the everyday challenges faced by Singaporeans from different walks of life, which makes it relatable and thought-provoking.
Such initiatives familiarise Singaporeans with the challenges that their fellow citizens face, which helps to overcome prejudices. After all, Singapore’s diversity should be a source of strength, not a weakness that can be exploited.