Table of Contents
It’s 2026, and therapy is not so much a taboo in Singapore anymore. There are now companies that even provide wellness budgets for employees, encouraging them to seek help for mental health. While these are positive steps that help remove stigma about mental health and well-being, many individuals may still be too afraid to take that leap and start therapy. For some, it’s seen as a “last resort”, or they may procrastinate due to the cost or fear of what others may think of them.
Well, the good thing is that more Singaporeans are realising that mental health struggles don’t need to hit rock bottom before they’re worth addressing. Sometimes, all it takes is one moment, whether it’s a breaking point one day or an intervention from friends, to finally say, “Okay, I need help.”
Just take it from these three Singaporeans I spoke to about their own personal tipping points that pushed them to start therapy. From issues after coming out to managing their stress of having health issues, these stories may be just what you need to inspire you to take that step for yourself.
1. “I Was Functioning… But I Was Miserable” — Marcus, 32
From the outside, Marcus looked like he had everything together. A stable job in finance, a decent salary, a long-term partner, and no “major” problems to complain about.
“I was the kind of person people would say is doing well in life,” he shared. “Good job, no money issues, supportive family. So whenever I felt unhappy, I kept telling myself I had no right to feel that way lah.”
For years, Marcus powered through his days on autopilot. He woke up, went to work, answered emails, went out with friends, and repeated the cycle. But internally, he felt like a zombie – numb and unmotivated. He was constantly exhausted, and disconnected from his own life.
The tipping point came one weekday evening on the MRT ride home in 2023.
“I remember sitting there, staring at my reflection in the train window, and suddenly thinking, ‘If this is what the next 30 years of my life looks like, I don’t want it.’ That thought scared me.”
No it wasn’t suicidal, he clarified – but it was a deep sense of dread and hopelessness about the future. “I realised I wasn’t living, just functioning. And I didn’t know how to fix that on my own. I simply lost my purpose and questioned my existience”
Marcus initially hesitated to seek therapy because he felt his problems weren’t “serious enough. But after weeks of sitting with that MRT moment, he finally booked an appointment with a private therapist.
“I kept thinking therapy was for people with trauma or depression. I didn’t think feeling empty counted.” But after weeks of sitting with that MRT moment, he finally booked an appointment with a private therapist.
“Therapy was the best decision to be honest. It helped me understand that burnout and dissatisfaction in life are enough reasons to seek help. I wish I had learned earlier that you don’t need to be falling apart to deserve support. There are still bad days, but I know how to manage my feelings towards them better”.
Today, Marcus sees therapy monthly as maintenance rather than crisis fixing. He credits therapy as the reason he finally understands that it’s not always about solving an issue, but managing it positively. And with a smile he shares, “I’m hoping to lessen my frequency of sessions in 2026, and hopefully graduate from therapy by the end of the year.”
2. “Coming Out Didn’t Set Me Free. It Broke Me Instead” — Daniel, 27
For Daniel, coming out as gay was going to be the hardest part… or so he thought. Growing up in Singapore with traditional and religious parents, he spent years mentally preparing himself for that moment — rehearsing conversations, anticipating rejection, and bracing for the worst.
When he finally came out to his parents in his mid-20s after mustering up the courage, the reaction wasn’t explosive… but it wasn’t affirming either. “They didn’t kick me out or disown me,” he said. “But there was a lot of silence, awkwardness, and ‘we don’t talk about this’ vibes. They acknowledged it and never brought it up again.”
At first, Daniel told himself he should be grateful. He thought, “other LGBTQ people have it worse, right? Some of my friends got rejected and resented when they came out. So I kept minimising my own pain.”
But slowly, the emotional weight began to show up in unexpected ways. Daniel started having panic attacks, struggled to sleep, and felt a constant tightness in his chest whenever he was around family. The dramatic turning point came during a casual family dinner.
“My mum was talking to me about my future, like marriage and kids, as if I never came out. I just froze. She still questioned if I had a girlfriend. I was so confused, and went to the toilet and started crying uncontrollably.”
That night, Daniel realised that coming out still hadn’t resolved the self-loathing, internalised shame, and fear he experienced his entire life.
“I thought once I said the words, I’d finally feel free. Instead, I felt more alone than ever. What good is coming out if your parents won’t even recognise your sexual orientation after?”, he shares.
His next step? Deciding to look for an LGBTQ-affirming therapist — something he didn’t even know existed until he started researching.
“When I started therapy, I finally had a space where I didn’t need to explain or justify my identity. That alone was huge. I also managed to slowly unpack the grief of unmet expectations from my parents and the pressure to be the “good son”. My therapist really helped me learn and understand that coming out is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process, especially in a society like Singapore where conversations around sexuality are still complicated.”
Today, Daniel continues therapy monthly as a way to help him distil his feelings better. And as for his parents? They no longer question his relationship status, and greets Daniel’s partner when he visits. You could say it’s a baby step in the right direction.
3. “My Body Forced Me To Listen” — Aisha, 35
Aisha had always prided herself on being strong and independent. As a working mother juggling a demanding job, household responsibilities, and caregiving for elderly parents, she believed pushing through exhaustion was just part of life.
“In Singapore, everyone is tired and sian,” she laughs. “So I thought feeling stressed all the time was normal.”
But her body started sending warning signals she could no longer ignore. She began experiencing frequent migraines, chest tightness, stomach issues, and sudden episodes of dizziness. She also couldn’t eat properly and had no appetite for meals.Multiple medical check-ups showed nothing physically wrong.
“That was the most frustrating part. Doctors kept telling me I was ‘healthy,’ but I felt terrible.”
It was because of one day at work that made her think “enough is enough”. “I suddenly couldn’t breathe properly. My hands were shaking, my heart was racing, and I thought I was having a heart attack.”
It turned out to be a severe anxiety attack — her first real encounter with how deeply stress had affected her body.
“I remember the doctor gently asking me, ‘Have you considered therapy?’ And I just broke down crying.” Aisha had never considered therapy before, but it was enough to make her start.
“I grew up in a family where emotions weren’t discussed. You just tahan and move on.”
Therapy helped her recognise how years of suppressing emotions, people-pleasing, and never asking for help had accumulated in her body.
“I learnt that my anxiety wasn’t a personal weakness. It was my system screaming for rest and boundaries. I’m still unlearning the idea that my worth comes from how much I can endure. My body forced me to listen when my mind refused to. My body forced me to listen when my mind refused to”.
You Don’t Need A Breaking Point To Start Therapy
The truth is, there’s no single “right” reason to start therapy. As these three stories show, the big moment can look very different — whether it’s a quiet MRT moment, the emotional aftermath of coming out, or physical deterioration that in turn affects one mentally.
In Singapore, where resilience and productivity are often glorified, many people wait until they’re completely burnt out before seeking help. But therapy doesn’t have to be a last resort. It can be a space to reflect, heal, and understand yourself better — before things spiral.
If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I should talk to someone,” that thought alone might already be your tipping point. And that’s reason enough to start therapy today. If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual identity or coming out, A Space Between provides a safe environment for support with queer-friendly counsellors. Besides being a resource for help or navigating the challenge of coming out, A Space Between also shares advice on therapy and LGBTQ+ issues through online blog articles, as well as holding community events.
