Happiness Initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY), is launching a community well-being programme to empower individuals with skills they can apply to improve their mental health.

The Well-Being Circles programme will equip participants with evidence-based, well-being skills that focus on five core themes – Mindset, Passion, Purpose, Relationships, and Altruism. Each theme is supported with research on how they can contribute to an individual’s happiness and well-being. Refer to Annex A for the skills taught in each session. Starting on 2 August 2022, each participant of the Well-Being Circles programme will go through 12 two-hour sessions over a span of four months.

The sessions, which will cover various well-being skills, will be delivered in a small and intimate group format consisting of one facilitator to four participants. Participants will be able to take charge of their own mental well-being by providing a safe space for people to talk about their struggles, learn from one another, and be equipped with well-being skills to transform their lives.

Lead programme developer and co-founder of Happiness Initiative, Simon Leow, said, “We started the development of this programme in 2019, with the vision that well-being skills can be acquired and can be facilitated by non-experts. Our resolve was further strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic, culminating in what is known today as the Well-being Circles.” Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade and Industry, said, “MCCY is partnering with Happiness Initiative in this community well-being programme, to empower our citizens with the ability to look after their well-being, and to strengthen our social capital. We aim to build a caring and inclusive society where all can be supported to achieve mental health and well-being.”

The Well-Being Circles programme is open for the public to participate in. Anyone aged 18 years old and above can join, and admission into the programme is completely free.