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“I’m taking a break… and that’s perfectly okay.”

World Mental Health Awareness Day – 10 October 2025

Let’s be honest — we’ve all had days when the brain feels like a browser with 37 tabs open… and three of them are frozen.

In Singapore, we’re known for working hard — sometimes too hard. Deadlines, meetings, family commitments, endless WhatsApp messages from colleagues (“Just one quick thing!”). It’s no wonder more people are feeling mentally and emotionally stretched.

A 2022 National Population Health Survey found that about one in six Singapore residents reported experiencing poor mental health. And a separate study by Duke-NUS and the Institute of Mental Health estimated that depression and anxiety together cost Singapore’s economy more than S$15 billion a year in lost productivity.

But this isn’t new. Even in the 1980s and 1990s, researchers were already sounding the alarm about workplace stress and burnout — they just didn’t have Zoom fatigue or constant notifications to deal with back then. Fast forward to today, and we’re finally talking about mental well-being more openly, which is progress worth celebrating.

So, on this World Mental Health Awareness Day, let’s give ourselves permission to slow down — not because we’re lazy, but because we’re human.

When we say “take a break,” most people think of vacations. But let’s be real — planning a getaway can sometimes be more stressful than work! Airport queues, hotel bookings, figuring out where to eat… you come back needing another break.

The good news? You don’t need a plane ticket to recharge. Try these instead:

• Micro-breaks: Step away from your screen for five minutes. Stretch, breathe, or just stare out the window.

• Mini self-care rituals: Coffee in peace. A short walk. Listening to music that makes you smile.

• Slow it down: Delegate something, say “not today” to one extra task, or switch off work notifications after hours.

• Home edition: Taking care of yourself also means letting others help — your family, your partner, your kids. You don’t have to do everything.

 

Breaks aren’t about escaping work; they’re about resetting. Think of it as pressing “refresh” on your mind — you come back sharper, calmer, and probably a lot nicer to talk to.

Some people still think that taking a mental break means they’re falling behind. In reality, it’s often the opposite — people who take time to rest tend to bounce back with clearer focus, better ideas, and stronger resilience.

As HR professionals, you can make a big difference by normalising this mindset at work. Try these small but powerful shifts:

• Encourage your team to take short breaks without guilt.

• Make mental health days as normal as medical leave.

• Celebrate employees who pace themselves — not just those who burn the midnight oil.

• Train managers to check in with empathy: “Hey, how are you holding up?” goes a long way.

 

Burnout doesn’t announce itself. It creeps in quietly — until even small things feel overwhelming. A culture that allows people to pause and reset isn’t just kind; it’s smart business.

Because a rested mind is a creative mind. And creative minds build great companies.

So how do we start? Easy. Take one small step today.

Try the quick mental well-being self-test at HealthHub’s MindSG portal.

It only takes a few minutes — less time than your next coffee break — and it might just remind you that your mental health deserves space, too.

This World Mental Health Awareness Day, let’s remind ourselves and our teams that taking a break doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means you understand what balance looks like. It means you care enough to recharge, reset, and return stronger.

So here’s to fewer “I’m fine”s — and more people confidently saying,
“I’m taking a break… and that’s perfectly okay.”

When your people take care of themselves, your company thrives.