National Care Hotline to cease operations on Dec 31

Following a decrease in the number of calls received, the National CARE Hotline (NCH) will cease operations from Dec 31, announced the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

MSF shared in a press release on Friday (Dec 2) that members of the public who dial the NCH from 8pm on Dec 31 will be redirected to alternative helplines for assistance.

These helplines include those supported by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and Samaritans of Singapore.

Launched on April 10, 2020 when Singapore first grappled with COVID-19, the NCH serves as a crisis hotline to render psychological first aid to individuals who experience emotional distress related to the pandemic.

More than 900 mental health professionals, social service professionals and trained volunteers man the hotline.

As of Nov 1, 2022, more than 76,500 calls have been made to the hotline, with emotional support, mental health issues as well as marital and family issues being the top concerns surfaced by callers.

The operating hours were adjusted to 8am to 8pm in January 2022 as call volumes stabilised. Prior to January, it operated from 8am to midnight.

With the easing of safe management measures and the transition to living with COVID-19, the NCH observed an 85 per cent decrease in the number of calls received in October 2022 compared to May 2020 during the Circuit Breaker.

You can access the list of alternative helplines here:

For Mental Well-Being

Care Corner Counselling Centre (for Mandarin speakers) – Tel: 1800 3535 800

Fei Yue’s Online Counselling Service – Website: eC2.sg

Viriya Therapy Centre – Tel: 6256 1311

For Marital and Parenting Issues

Community Psychology Hub’s Online Counselling Platform – Website: CPHOnlineCounselling.sg 

For Helpline Services

Hear4U – Whatsapp: 6978 2728

Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline (24-hour) – Tel: 6389 2222

SAGE Counselling Centre – The Seniors Helpline – Tel: 1800 555 5555

Samaritans of Singapore (24-hour) – Tel: 1-767, WhatsApp: 9151 1767

Singapore Association for Mental Health Helpline – Tel: 1800 283 7019

Silver Ribbon Singapore – Tel: 6386 1928

Tinkle Friend (7 to 12 years) – Tel: 1800 2744 788

To Report Violence or Abuse:

National Anti-Violence & Sexual Harassment Helpline (24-hour) – Tel: 1800 777 0000