When 35-year-old marketing manager Aisha first felt the weight of anxiety pressing down during long work nights, she didn’t call a therapist—she messaged a peer support group on WhatsApp. She’s not alone. A recent Duke-NUS study in Singapore found that 62% of adults experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression are open to receiving support from peers who’ve walked similar paths—even if they haven’t sought professional help. With 77% of those surveyed not accessing care from psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers, this openness points to a quiet but powerful shift in how mental health support might be delivered.
Mental health demand in Singapore has surged in recent years, yet stigma, fear of judgment, and structural barriers keep many from formal care. The Duke-NUS study, published in the Singapore Medical Journal and conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), reveals that peer support—informal, relatable, and rooted in shared experience—could be a vital bridge. More than half of respondents (51%) preferred one-on-one peer conversations over group settings, and 43% said they’d be more comfortable connecting virtually, suggesting digital, personalized models could expand reach without sacrificing intimacy.
The data comes from an online survey of 350 adults in Singapore, part of a broader initiative to understand the economic toll of anxiety and depression. Younger adults showed greater openness to peer support, reflecting shifting attitudes toward mental health. But perhaps more telling was that those who had already seen a mental health professional were even more likely to welcome peer-based care—indicating these models don’t compete with clinical treatment but complement it. Notably, white-collar professionals in managerial roles expressed higher willingness than nonmanagerial workers, possibly due to greater health literacy or workplace stress compounded by isolation at senior levels.
"Fear of stigma and judgment can make professional care feel intimidating," says Assistant Professor Irene Teo from the Lien Center for Palliative Care at Duke-NUS, the study’s first author. Her insight captures the emotional core of the findings: sometimes, what people need most isn’t a diagnosis, but a conversation. As Associate Professor Daniel Fung of IMH puts it, "Many Singaporeans who are struggling don't necessarily want more medical labels—they want to be heard."
That simple act of being heard can spark movement toward formal care. Peer support doesn’t replace therapy—it prepares the ground. By offering empathy, coping strategies, and hope from lived experience, it helps people feel less alone and more ready to seek professional help when the time comes. As Singapore rethinks its mental health infrastructure, this study offers a clear message: healing often begins not in clinics, but in connection. The future of care may not be just clinical—it may be communal.