hi. i’m a student in sg and i’ve been struggling a lot recently. it’s gotten better this year, but i’ve noticed that i have really, really bad anxiety about so many different things and they’re really starting to affect my life. i have terrible separation anxiety from my parents and just a lot of anxiety and worrying in general and last year i’ve struggled with body dysmorphia and sh. i’m thankfully clean, but im trying to get the courage to ask for help. whenever i try to talk about my anxiety, i burst into tears and as much as i’ve tried talking to my friends, i feel like they don’t take me seriously. i’m terrified of seeking help from the school counsellor because in my school, they snitch on you and you end up having no privacy whatsoever. im trying to muster up the courage to talk to my mom and ask her to bring me to see a therapist, but at the same time i don’t want to worry her and tell her about all my issues because im kinda scared of how she’ll react. what should i do? how should i approach her? (ps:please don’t recommend online forums like sos because i tried and they genuinely didn’t help whatsoever).
Thank you for sharing what’s been on your mind. It sounds like you’ve been carrying a lot, and I want to acknowledge how brave you are for speaking about these struggles. Anxiety can feel so overwhelming, especially when it starts to impact everyday life, and it’s completely okay to feel scared about taking the next step toward getting help.
You mentioned that talking about your anxiety makes you burst into tears, and I want to say that’s not unusual—sometimes emotions feel so big that they just spill out, especially when you’re trying to express something deeply personal. The fact that you’re even thinking about asking for help from your mom shows how much you care about taking steps to feel better, and that’s a huge strength.
It’s also completely valid to feel unsure about how to approach your mom. You mentioned that you are scared of how she’ll react; do you mind sharing your thoughts about how she would react?
It’s important to remember that seeking help is not a burden—it’s a way to care for yourself. That said, those people around you and close to you are likely to want to support you. Maybe you could start by sharing a small part of what you’re feeling with your mom, like saying, “I’ve been feeling really anxious lately, and I think talking to someone might help.” You don’t have to share everything all at once if that feels too overwhelming.
I also understand your concerns about privacy, especially with school counsellors. If you decide to speak with a counsellor outside of school, it’s important to know that, as a minor, there might still be times when they need to share information with your parents, especially if they’re concerned about your safety or well-being. Having said, it’s okay to be upfront about your concerns—you deserve to feel safe and supported.
Finally, I want to recognise how far you’ve come. Staying clean from self-harm and working through body dysmorphia is no small achievement—it shows incredible strength and resilience. The fact that you’re here, reaching out and asking for guidance, is another sign of your courage and commitment to feeling better.
If you don’t like online forums, how about talking to a professional via phone? Here are some numbers for you to consider.
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
SOS operates a 24-hour hotline to provide emotional support for those in facing crisis or suicide risk
1800 221 4444
Fei Yue Community Services- EC2
LIVE CHAT eC2 is an online facility offering free counselling to youths.
-http://www.ec2.sg/
TOUCH Community Services – TOUCHline
Emotional support and practical advice are rendered through this youth helpline
1800 377 2252
Singapore Children Society - Tinkle Friend Helpline
Provide support, advice and information to primary school children in distress.
1800 2744 788
Tinkle Friend Online Chat
-http://www.tinklefriend.sg/
Take one small step at a time and remember that it’s okay to ask for help. You’ve already shown so much strength, and with support, things can get better. You’re not alone in this, and I believe in your ability to find the support and care you deserve. 
Hi @pinkfluffyunicorns, thank you for writing in.
I’m really sorry to hear about what you’re going through. It takes immense strength to share what you just did. Feeling this level of anxiety and worry can be incredibly overwhelming and isolating, especially when it feels like others around you don’t fully understand. Your concerns about privacy and the fear of how your mom might react are completely valid. It’s natural to want to protect yourself and those you care about, but it’s also so important to find the support you need.
Approaching your mom can feel daunting, but it could be helpful to express how you’re feeling in small, manageable parts. Maybe start by letting her know that you have been feeling anxious and that you want to talk to someone who can help you manage these feelings better. You don’t need to unload everything at once; just opening the door to a conversation can be a significant first step. Also, writing down what you want to say or practicing it beforehand can sometimes make it easier. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and you deserve to feel supported and heard.
Here are some community mental health resources which might be helpful in addressing your concerns.
IMH CHAT: https://www.imh.com.sg/CHAT/Get-Help/Pages/default.aspx
Youth Integrated Team: SupportGoWhere
CREST - Youth: SupportGoWhere
Hope this helps, and all the best in your help-seeking journey. You’ve got this. 
Danial
Befriender, let’s talk by mindline.sg
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thank you for your kind words<3 i had a pretty tough day and this made me feel better. i’m mostly concerned because that’s the thing-im not sure how my mom will react because i’ve never talked to her about this before. maybe she’ll be proud of me for seeking help, or maybe she’ll get really worried about me, or maybe she’ll think im overreacting. it’s probably not the latter, but im still kinda worried.
thank you so much though. i’m really happy to hear that someone didn’t invalidate my feelings. i’m really grateful 
thank you so much! this genuinely helped me:)