"You're not alone!" —Hannah's message through music

19 August 2026

On 6 June 2026, the Flourishing Minds @ Singapore Children's Society team hosted their very first community event, bringing children, young people, families and the community together to celebrate youth mental wellbeing.

The energy was incredible. Young people from our youth centres took to the stage to dance, sing and perform, each sharing something uniquely their own.

One of them was Flourishing Minds' Youth Advisor, Hannah, who performed an original song. It all started with a simple goal: "I want to write my own song."

Together with Joy, a volunteer, she brainstormed ideas, wrote lyrics, found a melody, and even picked up the guitar again after not playing for a long time. The result?

"Small Jokes Aren't Small to a Child"

The song was inspired by her own experience of being told not to suffer in silence yet being around people who were dismissive of what she was going through. Speaking up about one's experience can already be challenging; it is made harder when there isn't anyone they can turn to in the first place.

Mental health conversations have come a long way, but many young people still find it hard to feel heard, understood and supported. That's why creating safe spaces where they can speak up, be themselves and grow matters.

At Flourishing Minds, young people aren't just participants — they're partners. Whether through counselling, youth-led initiatives or opportunities like this performance, they're empowered to shape the community around them and discover their own strengths.

We're so proud of this brave and heartfelt performance, and we hope it reminds every young person reading this that your voice matters!

Here’s a short reflection from Hannah:

“When I first started writing "Small Jokes Aren't Small to a Child," I simply wanted to write a song that truly meant something to me. I never imagined it would one day be shared like this. Writing it reminded me that even painful experiences can become something that encourages and supports someone else. My hope is that this song becomes a wake-up call for our society that even in an advanced and amazing country like Singapore, there are still children silently fighting battles that many never see. Not every wound is visible, and sometimes the smallest jokes, words or actions can leave the deepest scars. This song is for every child who has ever felt unheard, unseen or like they had to suffer in silence. I hope it reminds them that their feelings matter, their voice matters, and that they never have to carry their struggles alone. Every child deserves to feel safe, loved, heard and cared for. To everyone reading this, not just children or those who have bullied others, but to every adult too, kindness doesn't cost anything, but choosing cruelty can cost a life. Behind every child is a family waiting for them to come home, pets waiting excitedly at the door, dreams waiting to be fulfilled, and a future worth protecting. Please choose kindness. Listen before you judge and believe before you dismiss. You may never truly know what someone is carrying behind their smile. If this song helps even one young person feel a little less alone or encourages even one person to choose empathy over judgement, then it has already achieved more than I could have ever hoped for.”

Want to learn more about Flourishing Minds? Check them out here.

Mental Health, Bullying, Music

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