NCSS Singapore

Sometimes, it’s not easy to tell when a private habit is starting to take more control than intended. Because po*******hy use often happens in private, the signs can go unnoticed, even by ourselves. ​
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You might notice small changes over time; hiding what you’re doing or where you’ve been, needing more time or money to feel the same thrill, prioritising urges over work, school, or people who matter, or finding it hard to focus or relax unless you act on those urges. When these patterns start to affect your daily life, it could be .​
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Taking a moment to check in with yourself can be the first step. ​
If you feel stuck, help is available at https://go.gov.sg/addiction-support​
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AI this, AI that. But what does it actually mean for the people who need help most? 🤔

That is exactly the question NCSS explored during a recent visit to Zurich and the 55th St Gallen Symposium, where our team joined Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Masagos Zulkifli and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Mr Eric Chua as part of the Singapore delegation.

And what we found was that the most impactful technology is not just about the tools. It is about the people behind them. The social service professionals, technologists, and researchers working together to design solutions that are empathetic, practical, and built around real human needs.

As sector developer, NCSS is committed to translating those global insights into actionable pathways for our social service agencies in Singapore. From responsible AI adoption and capability building, to forging meaningful partnerships that can strengthen how we deliver services and improve client outcomes.

No algorithm can replace the heart of social work, but the right technology, in the right hands, can help us care more deeply and effectively for every person we serve. 💙

What does it take to truly make a difference in the lives of children and youth?

Our CEO Mr Lim Shung Yar recently shared his thoughts at CapitaLand Hope Foundation's event on Strengthening Community Resilience for Children and Youth in Asia, and the answer is simple: We need to move from good intentions to good outcomes.

At NCSS, we lead the social service sector by strengthening social service agencies (SSAs) and funding critical programmes in the community, so that individuals and families in need get the support they deserve, even as the challenges they face grow more complex.

Through our research and evaluation resources 📊, NCSS supports SSAs in measuring and evaluating the impact of their programmes, ensuring that every bit of support reaching individuals and families is not just well-intentioned, but truly effective. And when donors and philanthropists align their resources to support SSAs making a meaningful difference, every effort and every dollar reaches the people who need it most. 💪

A big thank you to CapitaLand Hope Foundation for creating the space for these important conversations and for their continued commitment to building community resilience in Singapore. 💙

What happens when businesses and communities come together with a shared purpose? Real, lasting impact. 🌟

The Project V Marketplace 2026 saw corporates and social service agencies come together to explore how corporates can volunteer regularly and meaningfully, embodying the We-First spirit that building a caring society takes all of us.

As sector developer, NCSS is committed to developing a robust social service ecosystem that includes community support, philanthropy, and volunteerism. 💙

Learn more about Project V, co-led by NCSS and National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre: https://www.ncss.gov.sg/programmes/people/volunteer-management/project-v/

Mental health support works best when everyone plays a part, and understanding how people seek help is the first step to making that happen. 💭

In April, our Translational Research team shared insights with partners from the Beyond the Label Collective at our latest Insights to Impact (i2i) session, drawing from our Quality of Life (QOL) research study on what encourages people to seek mental health support and what holds them back.

One of the key findings was that help-seeking is often influenced by the people around us, and that this varies across different life stages. Understanding these patterns allows us to work closely with social service agencies to design more targeted and effective mental health support for the community. At NCSS, we take these insights and translate them into action, strengthening the social service sector so that individuals and families in need get the right support at the right time.

Thank you to TOUCH Community Services and other partners from the Beyond the Label Collective for the opportunity to share these insights! Because at the end of the day, building a caring society is a shared responsibility. Mental health support is not just the job of professionals. When friends, family members, and communities show up for one another, that is the We-First spirit in action. 💙

Learn more about our Quality of Life studies: https://www.ncss.gov.sg/research-and-insights/research-and-evaluation/quality-of-life/

Looking to strengthen your practice in the social service sector?

The Social Service Institute (SSI) cross sector courses are designed to equip social service professionals with relevant knowledge and skills to support service delivery across different settings.

Explore these courses:
🔹 Understanding the Social Service Sector (TGS-2025059340)
Gain insights into the evolution of the social service sector, key stakeholders, and the frameworks that support service delivery to communities.
🔗https://tms.ssi.gov.sg/student/course/detail/d50794e6-a7da-4017-ba18-4d2005d602f6
Register by 12 June 2026

🔹 Inclusive Training Series: Understanding and Working with People in Diverse Groups (TGS- 2020500646)
Understand unconscious bias, and explore how this impacts individuals, families, and communities, while developing awareness of inclusive practices.
🔗https://tms.ssi.gov.sg/student/course/detail/d594a7f2-fe9e-4ea9-bd40-4c3ecd1c551d
Register by 21 June 2026

🔹 Motivational Interviewing: An Introduction for Social Service Practitioners (TGS-2020500646)
Learn the fundamental concepts and approaches of Motivational Interviewing to facilitate intrinsic motivation and support behaviour change.
🔗 https://tms.ssi.gov.sg/student/course/detail/58105470-773a-454c-b6cc-5d3a07e4e810
Register by 28 May 2026

🔎 For other cross sector courses visit: https://tms.ssi.gov.sg/student/?CourseCategory=Cross%20Sector

Problem gambling affects people in many ways - not just at casinos, but through online gaming and even watching esports.

Recognising these signs can help you know when it's time to have a conversation with someone you care about:

• Betting with more money than they can afford
• Chasing losses, believing one big win will fix things
• Skipping work or family time to gamble
• Feeling irritable, anxious, or restless when they can’t gamble

If you see these behaviours in your loved ones, reach out to them it could make all the difference. Starting a conversation about gambling can feel difficult. But approaching someone with compassion and understanding is often the first step toward helping them recognise that gambling is .

If you know someone you care about is struggling, help is available at https://go.gov.sg/addiction-support
Source: NCPG, WE CARE Community Services