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The other initiatives include a community garden at NESST Tukang Dormitory and a long-distance parenting programme.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced new initiatives to support migrant workers’ mental wellbeing, including a community garden, parenting workshops for fathers living in dormitories, and a long-distance parenting programme for migrant domestic workers.
The initiatives were announced in conjunction with a Mental Health and Wellness Carnival held at NESST Tukang Dormitory on 11 October 2026 to mark World Mental Health Day 2026.
About 800 migrant workers attended the carnival, while a concurrent programme for about 300 migrant domestic workers was held at the Lifelong Learning Institute. Organised in partnership with Brahm Centre and Uplifters Singapore Limited, the programme featured talks on financial and mental wellbeing, testimonials from migrant domestic workers, and activities by Dunman High School.
At the dormitory event, Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State (MoS) for Manpower launched the NESST Community Garden, developed in partnership with the National Parks Board (NParks) under its Community in Bloom programme.
The initiatives align with this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, Supportive Communities, Better Wellbeing, highlighting the role of conducive living environments, strong family relationships and community support networks in supporting mental wellbeing.
Speaking at the event, MoS Dinesh said: “Maintaining good mental wellbeing requires a combination of daily habits, emotional awareness and strong support networks.”
He added that MOM works with employers, NGOs, dormitory operators and community partners to provide support directly to workers and strengthen the support network for the migrant community.
Community garden creates space for migrant workers to connect
The NESST Community Garden was developed following a successful pilot, which came about after residents expressed interest in growing edible plants at the dormitory.
Residents have been involved in deciding what to grow, tending to the plants, and sharing the harvest with fellow residents. The garden provides a space for workers to relax and unwind, while creating opportunities to interact with residents from different companies and nationalities.
One resident, Naveen Kumar, spends at least three hours each week in the garden growing vegetables such as spinach, which reminds him of meals shared with his family back home. He also uses the space to unwind after work and spend time with fellow residents.
MOM will work with NParks and the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health to study how greener dormitory environments, including access to green spaces and community gardening, can strengthen social connectedness and support migrant workers’ wellbeing, to inform further efforts.
Parenting programmes support family relationships across borders
MOM is also working with community partners to help migrant workers maintain relationships with their children while living and working away from home.
Parenting workshops for migrant worker fathers living in dormitories are conducted by the Centre for Fathering under its Dads for Life movement, using the I.C.A.N. training framework. Together with partners including HealthServe and The Salvation Army, the workshops have benefited more than 80 migrant worker fathers to date.
The sessions equip participants with practical parenting skills and provide opportunities to share parenting challenges with other fathers, in addition to helping the workers remain meaningfully involved in their children’s lives.
From November 2026, migrant domestic workers who are mothers will also be able to participate in a new Long Distance Parenting Programme conducted by Uplifters Singapore.
It is expected to reach more than 600 migrant domestic workers and 900 children over three years.
Community partners expand mental health support
At the NESST Tukang Dormitory carnival, about 15 participating partners, including NGOs, youth groups and other community organisations, shared practical mental health information and details of available services with migrant workers.
The event also recognised 20 Peer Support Leaders (PSLs) for playing a role in identifying workers who may need assistance and providing early intervention.
Over the past year, MOM has worked with partners to organise preventive health roadshows, PSL training, and a crisis helpline.
ALSO READ: World Mental Health Day 2026: HR leaders share the small actions that make a difference
Lead image / Ministry of Manpower's Facebook
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