Chan Luo Ming

Singapore Civil Defence Force, Singapore

Title: Peer Support Programme in the Singapore Civil Defence Force: A Community-Embedded Model for Mental Health Support in Young Emergency Services Personnel

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Biography

Mr Chan Luo Ming (Kada) is a Psychologist in the Emergency Psychological Sciences Department of the Singapore Civil Defence Force, holding a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology (Nanyang Technological University). He oversees the full-time National Servicemen Peer Support Programme and provides psychological support including counselling and crisis intervention for in-service officers. Drawing on his prior experience in facilitating youth development programmes across both mainstream and at-risk populations, Kada's clinical and research interests encompass choice theory and reality therapy, youth mental health, and peer support programme evaluation.

Abstract

In Singapore, full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) form a significant proportion of Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel — conscripted at age 18 to serve in firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical services. Recognising the convergence of occupational stressors, developmental challenges, and psychosocial pressures unique to this population, the NSF Peer Support (NSPS) programme was developed to provide accessible, peer-level mental health support as a first-line intervention within a tiered care model in SCDF. The programme aimed to equip selected NSFs to look out for troubled peers, provide practical and emotional support, and share help resources.

In 2019, an in-house survey (n = 609) revealed that SCDF NSFs demonstrated a preference for peer-based help-seeking over formal services, informing the launch of the NSPS programme in 2020. Selected NSFs underwent training in mental health literacy and peer support competencies, with clear referral pathways to formal psychological services. Outcomes were evaluated through self-reported data from trained peer supporters.

Programme observations suggested that peer supporters actively engaged with distressed peers and perceived the programme as valuable in strengthening their empathy, active listening, and self-awareness. Participation also appeared to reduce mental health stigma among peer supporters, suggesting a broader positive influence on organisational culture.

These findings contribute to the growing evidence base for peer support models in emergency services, highlighting how peer-level intervention can complement formal psychological services within a tiered approach. Key learnings offer insights for adapting youth mental health programmes across diverse cultural and organisational contexts in the Asia-Pacific region.