Inspiring Asia 2025 Forums

Beyond the excitement of the Grand Finals and Awards Ceremony, the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival 2025 hosted two thought-provoking forums that explored critical issues surrounding youth mental well-being. The discussions brought together government representatives, philanthropists, social innovators, and global changemakers to exchange ideas, share best practices, and highlight community-driven solutions shaping the future of mental health support.

Panel 1: Supporting Youth Mental Well-being — Is it the Role of Government, or Do Grassroots Organisations Do It Better?

Moderated by Stacey Choe, Co-Founder of Real Impact Advisors, the discussion brought together leading voices from Singapore’s mental health and social innovation sectors.

Moderator Ms. Stacey Choe

Co-Founder of Real Impact Advisors

Anthea Ong

A former Nominated Member of Parliament and founder of SG Mental Health Matters, emphasized that while the government places strong role in supporting youth mental well-being, smaller organisations are often the first to spot emerging needs on the ground. She noted that sustained support for these grassroots groups is vital for innovation and timely action.

Martin Tan

CEO of The Majurity Trust, shared insights on how philanthropy can fill systemic gaps and complement government efforts, drawing from examples of grantee organisations they have supported, such as Impart, a charity that pioneers volunteer-based solutions to promote youth development in Singapore.

Narash S/O Tivasiha Mani

Co-Founder of Impart, spoke passionately about the importance of engaging youth through peer-led support networks and building a long-term relationship with youths they serve, highlighting how trust and relatability can make a difference in mental health outreach.

Panel 2: Can Singapore Learn from Global Initiatives to Improve Our Youth Mental Health System?

The second panel featured global thought leaders and emerging changemakers who are shaping youth mental health systems across regions.

Liu Xin

Founder and President of the Enlight Foundation, shared that up to 70% of new parents in China experience depression due to isolation, a lack of skills, and the disintegration of support networks in villages. Hence, she underscored the importance of early intervention and continuous parental education, reminding the audience that the journey doesn’t end at birth — parents are always learning, growing, and adapting.

Richa Gupta

Co-Founder of Labhya, discussed building emotional resilience among students in India by integrating social-emotional learning into public education and empowering parents from low-income backgrounds to support their children’s well-being.

Dr. Rayner Tan

Assistant Professor at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, highlighted the need to contextualise evidence-based mental health practices for different communities and strengthen organisations’ capacity to turn research into action.

Dr. Tricia Tan

Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Fellow, observed that new pressures such as social media and eco-anxiety are intensifying youth mental health challenges. She emphasised integrating research, practice, and lived experience in designing effective interventions.

Through these powerful conversations, the forums underscored a shared understanding — that improving youth mental health requires collaboration across sectors, cultures, and generations. By combining research, lived experience, and innovation, Inspiring Asia continues to serve as a bridge for dialogue and action, empowering communities to create lasting social impact.