Mental Health and Climate Change: A Shared Path to Healing and Thriving
Global Mental Health in Asia Conference
17–19 February 2025, Singapore
Keynote Speech
Good morning, everyone.
It’s an honour to be here with you. The fact that we are gathered today signals a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of mental health and climate change — and the immense opportunity we have in shaping an enlightened future for people and planet.
In the spirit of well-being, let’s start with a quick “How Are You?” check-in. Could you please share how you feel on Mentimeter?
As I stand here today, I’m reminded of the first time I spoke about mental health and climate change together during my 2019 Budget speech in Parliament. I had urged the government not to push these two profound challenges of our time into the “important-but-not-urgent” bucket simply because they’re invisible. So I took it upon myself to ensure these issues became more than visible in my two-year term as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP)!
(Mentimeter — Breathe)
Before we begin, I’d like to invite you to pause with me, just as I did in Parliament before delivering my maiden speech in 2018. Let’s take a brief moment to breathe together. Close your eyes if you’re comfortable. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, let your awareness settle on the world around you — whether it’s the sounds of nature or simply the rhythm of your breath.
Mental Health: From Illness to Well-Being
It’s hard to believe that nearly two decades have passed since my perfect colossal collapse as a CEO — from a broken heart and marriage, a shattered career, and financial ruin. I did not imagine then that that deep dark place I was once in would take me on a healing journey and unexpected trajectory as a social entrepreneur that would lead me to Parliament, where I became a fierce advocate for mental health reforms at all levels. I spoke up at every sitting, pushing for mental health education in schools, workplace well-being, caregiver support, support for vulnerable populations such as people with disability, migrant workers, LGBTQ+, sex workers, a national mental health competency framework and increased affordability, accessibility and quality in mental healthcare. I would find ways to speak about mental health, whether it was for the Employment Amendment Bill or the Electronic Payment Services Bill! A fellow MP asked me once how it was possible I could speak about mental health regardless of the Bill — this was pre-Covid of course. I said because mental health is more than the absence of mental illness, every law we make can enable or exacerbate our individual and personal wellbeing.
4 years and a pandemic later, mental health is even more of an urgent issue. In Southeast Asia alone, about 260 million people — about one in seven — live with a mental health condition. Many of them don’t receive the support they need, due to stigma or lack of access to care, according to the World Health Organization. Suicide is among the leading causes of death worldwide, with Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region accounting for more than half of global suicides. In Singapore, one in three young people between the ages of 15 and 35 reports experiencing severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. Dementia is also a growing concern in Asia, with the region having the highest number of dementia cases globally.
Yet, despite these alarming statistics, mental health is still often treated as an afterthought — secondary to economic growth, physical health, or national security.
We finally launched its National Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy in September 2023–3 years after I left Parliament. I felt much FOMO when the mental health motion based on the Strategy was debated in Parliament in February of last year, yet I was much heartened
We have heard in recent days how we must move beyond crisis intervention toward a full spectrum of care: from prevention and early intervention to resilience-building and community-based well-being. Healing happens in ecosystems of care, not alone. From workplaces that prioritise psychological safety to schools that nurture emotional intelligence, to policies that integrate mental health into broader health and social systems — we must create conditions where we don’t just survive but thrive.
It’s why I advocate for a concept I call “mental wealth”, since health is wealth. Mental wealth isn’t just about avoiding mental illness — it’s about investing in our mental fitness, emotional resilience, and the well-being of our communities. It’s about nurturing the ecosystems that support us to be well and flourish.
For me, this journey of building my personal mental wealth began with a simple concept: silence. This led to the founding of Hush TeaBar 10 years ago, a social enterprise that brings silent tea experiences and learning to sign emotions to workplaces and schools with Deaf and hard-of-hearing facilitators. I believe strongly that in silence, we remember who we are and who we are to each other. Silence is a space for healing, reflection, and connection, and in that, we build our mental wealth for emotional restoration and growth.
Climate Change: Asia’s Leadership in Protecting the Vulnerable
While we work toward thriving individuals, we must also ensure we have a thriving planet.
Sadly, progress regarding climate action (SDG 13) in the Asia Pacific region was found to be regressing alarmingly by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in 2023. The region currently contributes more than 50% of the world’s heat-trapping GHG emissions, a figure expected to rise as 80% of anticipated growth in coal demand will originate from this region. Only 13 out of 29 Asia Pacific countries include a climate change component in their national statistics plans.
In Singapore, we are already experiencing the effects of climate change — rising sea levels, extreme heat, and increased climate-related health risks. Across Asia, the stakes are even higher. The floods in Pakistan, droughts in India, and typhoons in the Philippines are not just environmental crises; they are humanitarian emergencies, deepening inequalities and displacing millions.
From advocating for the zero waste masterplan in tackling food insecurity as part of climate change action to building a climate-resilient banking industry in Singapore, and proposing tax reliefs and incentives for a carbon-neutral economy when in Parliament, I was delighted when the Singapore Green Plan 2030 was finally launched in 2021.
Already a vegan and a public commuter, it still hit me hard when I witnessed the profound impact of the climate crisis firsthand during my climate change expedition to Antarctica 7 years ago. Staring at the fragile ice, I felt not only the urgency of climate action but also its human cost.
So yes, I certainly experienced some ‘eco-anxiety’ — and even climate grief — watching the gigantic melting ice shelves. Eco-anxiety — a term used to describe the emotional distress caused by the shifting environment and the growing climate crisis, is on the rise, especially among children and young people. Social media feeds it. Studies have found that individuals experiencing eco-anxiety had higher rates of depression, anxiety, stress, lower self-reported mental health and functional impairment.
On the other hand, burnout individuals may inadvertently burn up the planet. Without the mental and emotional capacity to practise what I call ‘eco-empathy,’ they may struggle to take sustainable actions in their workplaces and homes.
So I had an aha moment while staring at the icy vastness of Antarctica which led to the creation of WorkWell Leaders — a leadership movement advocating for well-being and sustainable growth in the workplace. Our rallying cry is “Be Well to Lead Well.” In 2024, our community of CEOs in large organisations and universities takes care of over 185,000 employees across Singapore. More than 700 CEOs have joined our closed-door dialogues to discuss leadership, well-being and business sustainability challenges.
The Intersection of Mental Health and Climate: A Unified Path to Healing
When I reflect on these twin crises — mental health and climate change — I see a profound truth: the way we treat our planet mirrors the way we treat ourselves.
A world that burns out its natural resources is the same world that burns out its people. The exhaustion we feel individually is a reflection of the unsustainable systems we have built. If we want to heal the planet, we must also heal ourselves.
For me, that healing has always come from nature. As a little girl, trees were my refuge when I was bullied. Thirty years later, when I faced my crisis, I found myself hugging a tree again — and I’ve done so since, every Sunday after my run. Nature has always held space for my healing, and science confirms what I felt — green spaces reduce stress, boost mental resilience, and reconnect us to something larger than ourselves.
I’m heartened that the Singapore Green Plan 2030 recognises the importance of mental health and well-being, particularly through initiatives promoting access to green spaces. Similarly, the National Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy recognises nature-based solutions, including 30 therapeutic gardens across Singapore by 2030 to provide restorative spaces for people with various conditions, including ADHD and dementia.
Building codes now prioritise occupant well-being, with the Green Mark certification scheme and the Building Control Act playing key roles in promoting sustainable and healthy building designs.
Last September, Singapore announced that its WHO-certified Emergency Medical Team would be the first in the region to include a clinical psychologist, not just for disaster casualties but also for the staff involved.
The intersection of mental health and sustainability within ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks is becoming increasingly critical for businesses. Investors are placing greater emphasis on companies that not only demonstrate environmental sustainability but also prioritise the well-being of their employees and communities. At the same time, legislative pressures are driving companies to align with more robust social responsibility standards, which include mental health considerations. For example, the Workplace Fairness Legislation in Singapore that was passed last month. Integrating mental health into ESG frameworks is no longer just a good practice; it’s a strategic necessity. Doing so fosters a more resilient workforce, enhances employee engagement, and ensures businesses are better positioned to thrive in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. This approach drives long-term success by benefiting both people and the planet.
A Call to Action: Thriving Together
As we stand at this critical juncture, we must ask ourselves:
- How do we ensure that mental well-being is integrated into climate policies, disaster response, and urban planning?
- How do we scale community-led solutions that address both emotional and ecological resilience?
- How do we equip young people — not just with the tools to cope with eco-anxiety but with the power to lead climate action?
- How can we push for more innovative research that explores the intersection of mental health and climate change here in Asia?
No one has the answer but everyone has part of the answers. Today’s conference is our opportunity to build partnerships — across disciplines, across generations, and across borders. To bring mental health professionals, climate scientists, policymakers, and community leaders into the same conversation!
To the young people here today: Your voice matters. Your determination to create a just and sustainable future is the most powerful force we have. You are not just inheriting the world — you are shaping it.
To policymakers: Let’s craft solutions that don’t see mental health and climate as separate challenges but as deeply intertwined. We cannot build resilient societies without addressing the trauma and displacement that climate change brings, nor can we build a healthy environment without a mentally healthy population.
To business leaders and healthcare practitioners: Let’s integrate well-being into sustainability in our workplaces, public health systems, and leadership models. Because we can only have healthy people and thriving organisations if we add people and planet in equal measure to the bottom line.
Now, before we wrap up, I’d like to invite you to reflect on this:
What personal action can you take today to improve both your mental well-being and your relationship with the environment?
(As Mother Theresa said, we cannot all do great things but we can all do small things with great love!)
Closing
In closing: Let’s build mental wealth with an abundance of eco-empathy. When we heal ourselves, we heal the world and vice versa. Let’s reimagine how we thrive — together as people and planet. The challenges are immense, but so is our capacity for change and action.
Shall we do a Check-out as we close this sharing? What are you feeling right now?
I wish you an inspiring and illuminating day of discussions ahead.
Thank you, may you be well.
A Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore from 2018 to 2020, Anthea Ong is an experienced board member and board chair backed by a proven track record as a corporate C-level executive of 30 years. A passionate advocate and sought-after speaker on mental health, human-centred leadership and social entrepreneurship, she has also published extensively in The Straits Times, CNA, Today, Mothership and Institute of Policy Studies aside from two books, with a third one on Upsides of Being Down in the works. A creative and dynamic leader of change, she has founded several impact initiatives, including Hush TeaBar, WorkWell Leaders, SG Mental Health Matters, Palestinian Scholarship Initiative, CritiCare Fund for Migrant Workers, A Good Space Co-operative and Welcome in My Backyard. Her varied experience, including as a ICF Certified Professional Coach, provides valuable perspectives to boards and executive teams including as a strategic advisor to Intellect, Asia’s leading and fastest growing mental health company. A dedicated practitioner and instructor of meditation and yoga of almost two decades, Anthea also strives to walk the talk of be well to lead well.