
Deep Dive - As scammers adapt and evolve, how can technology keep up?
Singapore reported 314 suicides in 2024, with the sharpest increase among adults aged 30 to 39. Nearly two-thirds were men. What pressures do these groups face? And what are the warning signs? Otelli Edwards and Steven Chia speak with Dr Jared Ng, a psychiatrist and the former chief of emergency and crisis care at the Institute of Mental Health, and Eugene Chong, counselling psychologist at Seeding Minds. WHERE TO SEEK HELP If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, please consider reaching out to one of the helplines below. Youthline: +65 6436 6612 (call), 8533 9460 (text) and over email at hello [at] youthline.sg. Youthline provides free mental health support to youth via phone, email or a live chat service. It runs from 9am to midnight daily. Calls outside of operating hours are redirected to Samaritans of Singapore or the Singapore Civil Defence Force for emergency medical services. Samaritans of Singapore: 1767 (call), 9151 1767 (WhatsApp text) and over email at pat [at] sos.org.sg. Samaritans of Singapore provides round-the-clock confidential emotional support for individuals in crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide. The call and text-based services are operational 24 hours a day, every day of the week. National Mindline: 1771 (call), 6669 1771 (WhatsApp) and through online webchat on the http://mindline.sg/fsmh website. This is a round-the-clock confidential national-level helpline. Beyond immediate counselling, those who require more support can be directed to the appropriate care and resources.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
New virtual reality tool screens signs of pre-dementia with up to 90% accuracy
A new virtual reality tool will detect signs of pre-dementia in seniors with up to 90 per cent accuracy. This will cut screening times from hours to around 15 minutes. Amid rising cases of dementia in Singapore, only one in eight people who has pre-dementia is diagnosed with it during primary-care visits. Clinical Associate Professor Tan Ngiap Chuan from SingHealth Polyclinics shares more on the findings and uses of the VR dementia tool CAVIRE-2 in a study detecting signs of pre-dementia in seniors.

Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
60 lactation pods to be set up in public spaces by Q1 2026 for breastfeeding mothers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The average time spent in a pod to pump milk, feed or recharge is around 20 minutes. SINGAPORE – By the first quarter of 2026, nursing mothers will have access to more comfortable spaces in public to breastfeed their babies or express milk. A total of sixty new lactation pods will be set up across Singapore in high footfall locations, such as parks, libraries, transport hubs and office campuses. Local start-up and social enterprise Go!Mama launched the new pods on Aug 5 ahead of Singapore's 60th birthday, in partnership with Temasek Foundation and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. This is the start-up's most ambitious roll-out to date, and marks the crossing of the halfway point to its 300-pod goal by the end of 2026. There are currently close to 100 pods in the Republic by Go!Mama, which have been used by more than 20,000 mothers and caregivers. The average time spent in a pod to pump milk, feed or recharge is around 20 minutes. Go!Mama first launched its pods in 2021 with a trial of five pods on Sentosa. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim Singapore Beauty industry consumers hit by 464% rise in prepayment losses in first half of 2025 Singapore 13 taken to hospital after accident involving SBS buses, car in Tampines Singapore Singapore-made bot matchmakes strangers virtually – without profile photos Life Urinary issues: Enlarged prostate affects half of men in their 50s and up Singapore Elderly man charged after he allegedly molested, performed sex act on 'vulnerable' man Singapore has made moves to improve accessibility to clean and comfortable breastfeeding spaces in recent months, with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) revising its code in February to require new buildings with a floor area larger than 5,000 sq m to provide at least one lactation room. The existing code requires only larger buildings with a gross floor area of 10,000 sq m to have such a room. The new code also lays out requirements for the lactation room, like the minimum size of the space and the availability of sockets and mirrors. It should not be located within a toilet, according to the new requirements. The revisions will take effect in November for new buildings and existing buildings undergoing major renovations. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah said at the launch of the new pods on Aug 5 that in existing buildings that are not being renovated or may face space or configuration constraints, lactation pods can make all the difference. Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, viewing the heritage-themed pods at the Asian Civilisations Museum on Aug 5. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR The pods are a flexible option that can be easily deployed to support breastfeeding mothers and employees, and provide them with a dedicated space to nurse, she said. 'Additional lactation pods in public spaces will benefit many breastfeeding mothers. More importantly, their deployment signals the strong support and partnership from our private sector and community partners in building a Singapore made for families and in fostering a society that supports and values parenthood.' She added: 'Women are a crucial part of out workforce, and it is important that our workplaces evolve to support them at different stages of their parental journey.' The 60 pods to be launched will feature heritage-inspired artwork as an ode to Singapore's 60th birthday. 'The heritage-inspired artwork reflects Singapore's evolving story – one where care and inclusion are woven into our shared spaces. We wanted these pods to stand out, not hide in the background, and serve as visible reminders that supporting families is a responsibility we all share,' founder of Go!Mama Vivian Lee told The Straits Times. The SG60 pods will be the first to feature integrated digital screens, both inside and outside. These serve as platforms that mothers and caregivers can use to receive public health content, parent-friendly information, and discover the stories of other parents. Companies can 'adopt' a pod and have it placed inside their commercial spaces, offices, or community venues. Brands can also partner with Go!Mama to utilise the screens for their messaging or advertisements, as long as they align with the start-up's mission. Revenue generated through brand partnerships directly supports the continued deployment and maintenance of pods, ensuring their long-term sustainability and extended reach, Ms Lee said. Ms Sandy Lee, 27, wanted to work after giving birth to her first child in 2016, but hesitated as she was worried about having a proper space to express milk. She also found it difficult to spend time outside the home with her baby due to the absence of dedicated breastfeeding spaces – she had to make do with nursing in a toilet or diaper-changing room. 'A lot of places double up a diaper-changing room with a nursing room, but that does not work. Diaper-changing rooms are freely accessible, and anyone can enter, like fathers who need to attend to their child or get hot water to make milk,' she said. 'Having a good environment for mothers is important when trying to breastfeed or express milk.' Ms Lee, who is a business development executive, had her second baby in 2024 and has been using Go!Mama pods since. 'When I share with friends about the availability of these pods now, it alleviates some of the worries they may have about having children. They know Singapore is becoming friendlier to mothers,' she said.


Independent Singapore
9 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Almost 18 and trying to get birth control—'Why does my doctor need to call my parents first?'
SINGAPORE: For many young adults, the path to sexual maturity brings a lot of questions, especially about reproductive health and birth control access. A 17-year-old in Singapore recently shared her frustrating experience with the local healthcare system on Reddit, and her story resonated with others facing similar issues. In her post, the teen explained that she had become sexually active and, wanting to be responsible, sought medical advice about birth control. She visited a polyclinic multiple times and spoke with different doctors about her options. Each visit felt productive until her most recent appointment, where a doctor informed her that she needed her parents' consent to get any prescription birth control. This news stunned the teen poster. 'Not once did any of the previous doctors mention that I need my parents' consent to get birth control,' she wrote. 'Now, this doctor says she has to call my parents for permission?' The contradictions left her feeling muddled and upset. She turned to Reddit for help, asking others for clarity on the rules. 'I've read on Reddit that I don't need my parents' consent since I'm over 16,' she added. See also You know you live in Singapore when... Her post prompted a flood of responses, highlighting the unclear areas and tough realities of Singapore's healthcare laws regarding minors. One commenter shared, 'I could only get birth control pills at 18, and that was through a polyclinic. If you're under 18, you'll need a parent's consent at government clinics.' Others agreed, noting that it's less about consent and more about the legal regulations around prescription medication for minors. 'Prescription meds can't be given to anyone under 18—that's the law,' one commenter clarified. 'It doesn't matter whether it's birth control pills or antibiotics.' This helped clarify an important misunderstanding — while the age of sexual consent in Singapore is 16, this does not mean anyone under 18 can access all medical care independently. Although 'parental consent' is often mentioned, the law actually focuses on whether a responsible adult—parent, guardian, or clinic staff—is present to receive the prescription. Still, experiences can vary widely depending on the doctor or clinic. 'Most clinics I see say that those over 16 don't need parental consent,' another Redditor said. 'I think that doctor is just being difficult. Find another GP. I use Siena Health—it's a telemedicine service, and they deliver in discreet packaging.' See also BLACKPINK's Lisa scammed by ex-manager to fund gambling habit Others encouraged using condoms as a more readily available form of contraception until reaching legal adulthood. 'Try using condoms,' one user bluntly recommended. 'It's safer and doesn't need a prescription.' Despite the diverse responses, one thing became clear: Many young people in Singapore feel confused by mixed messages and unclear policies regarding reproductive health. 'I think some people confuse age of consent with legal medical independence,' one comment noted. 'At 16, you can have sex—but that doesn't mean you can access everything that comes with it.' For the moment, it seems that young Singaporeans under 18 are still confronted with impediments when managing their reproductive health issues through public healthcare services. However, the dialogue triggered by this teen's Reddit post also puts emphasis on the rising necessity for clear direction, reliable strategies, straightforward guidelines, and better education, allowing young adults to make informed choices about their bodies without unnecessary complications.