For the second year running, NUS received the Culture of Acceptance, Respect and Empathy (CARE) Award at the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Awards 2025, which took place on 24 September 2025. Recognised for adopting exemplary mental well-being practices, NUS was one of the 15 organisations to receive this award, reflecting its continued commitment to prioritising the safety and health of our employees.
NUS Peer Staff Supporters Framework
In line with this commitment, NUS introduced the NUS Peer Staff Support Programme which aims to equip staff with skills to support colleagues in need. Under this Programme, staff will need to undergo a comprehensive two-day training to learn more about mental health support resources and practical tools to offer support to their peers. In addition, they will be able to network with Peer Staff Supporters across different departments and attend workshops and support sessions to further enhance their capabilities. Participation has grown steadily, and as of September 2025, over 58 departments now have staff members who are part of the Programme!
Not only is the initiative well-received by those facing mental-health challenges, but it also benefits its volunteers. According to the 2024 NUS Annual Wellbeing Survey, Peer Staff Supporters were 77 per cent less likely to experience depressive symptoms and 51 per cent more likely to report higher well-being and resilience. This win-win outcome highlights the success of the Programme at both the personal and organisational levels.
NUS Total Workplace Safety & Health
NUS’ comprehensive mental health programme is built upon its Total Workplace Safety & Health Framework, known as Total WSH@NUS. Led by the Office of Risk Management and Compliance and supported by Health & Wellbeing, University Health Centre and Office of Human Resources, it aims to foster an inclusive ecosystem that supports the safety, health and well-being of the NUS community.
This programme integrates well-being into departments’ Safety and Health Management System and features a systematic 10-step approach. Key elements include leadership support, training for Total WSH champions, comprehensive risk assessments that integrate health and organisation factors, health surveys, as well as the implementation and monitoring of intervention programmes.
Over 70 departments in NUS have actively participated since 2021, demonstrating the University’s commitment to supporting staff through both health promotion and targeted interventions, fostering a safer workplace and healthier workforce.