They are always online — scrolling, replying, editing, performing. But behind the glow of the screen, an invisible crisis is unfolding. As a psychotherapist working with adolescents and young adults in Singapore, I meet high-functioning, articulate, often high-achieving teens who are quietly unravelling beneath the surface. On paper, they’re thriving. But in session, I hear what they’re too afraid to tell anyone else: “I’m exhausted, but I can’t stop.” “If I’m not perfect, I’m nothing.” “No one really knows me.” “If I disappeared, I don’t think it would matter.” This is not melodrama or teenage angst. This is a generation drowning in disconnection, pressure, and silent despair. Teen Suicide in Singapore: A Growing Tragedy Suicide remains the leading cause of death among youth aged 10 to 29 in Singapore. This is not a statistical fluke. It reflects deeper systemic and cultural problems — many of which fester quietly in the lives of young people who appear “fine.” They are not just sad. They are overwhelmed, overstimulated, and emotionally unsupported. And often, their distress is invisible — until it’s too late. What’s Driving the Crisis? A Web of Pressures There is no single cause behind youth suicide. Instead, it emerges from a complex tangle of digital, relational, academic, and emotional pressures — many of which are hiding in plain sight. 1. Digital Addiction and Emotional Fragmentation Teens often spend 8 to 12 hours online — not simply for fun, but because the digital world offers temporary relief. They maintain multiple curated identities on Instagram, TikTok, Discord, and Telegram. The dopamine hits from notifications are fleeting, but the emotional crashes are deep. Over time, the distinction between performance and authenticity collapses. 2. Cyberbullying and Silent Shame Bullying doesn’t end when the school bell rings. It lives in anonymous confession pages, group chats, and social media threads. A single screenshot can trigger weeks of shame. Many teens never tell anyone, fearing judgment or dismissal. So they carry the pain alone. 3. Academic Stress and the Culture of Overachievement In Singapore, academic success is often tied to identity and worth. Even top scorers believe they aren’t doing enough. Many internalise a dangerous belief: I am only lovable when I achieve. For perfectionistic teens, failure becomes existential. 4. Emotional Disconnection at Home Parents may love deeply yet still be emotionally unavailable — stretched thin by work, stress, or their own inner wounds. Teens sense this. They stop sharing. They withdraw. They begin to believe they are utterly alone in their experience. 5. Lack of Safety to Be Themselves Teens grappling with identity — whether related to gender, neurodiversity, body image, or emotional sensitivity — often feel they have no place to be fully seen. They mask, suppress, or fragment themselves just to fit in. Over time, this internal split becomes unbearable. What Parents Can Do: From Prevention to Protection While the causes are complex, parents are not powerless. In fact, your consistent emotional presence is one of the most protective forces in your child’s life. 1. Start the Conversation — Early and Often Teens don’t need interrogations. They need open-hearted questions and attuned presence. Go beyond “How was school?” and try: • “What’s something that’s felt heavy or confusing lately?” • “If today had a mood, what would it be?” • “Is there a meme, song, or reel that captures how you’re feeling?” • “Have there been moments where things just felt too much?” The goal is not to get answers, but to offer a safe emotional invitation. When they feel the sincerity behind your curiosity, they’re more likely to open up. 2. Co-Regulate Before You Educate Your nervous system sets the tone. If you remain calm, grounded, and emotionally available —especially during their moments of chaos — you teach them how to do the same. Before advising or reacting, pause. Sit beside them. Let them feel your steadiness. 3. Build Tech-Free Anchors of Connection Create small, consistent rituals that don’t involve performance: nightly walks, shared meals, cooking together, or listening to music in silence. These non-demanding moments become emotional landing places in a noisy world. 4. Validate, Don’t Minimise If your child says they’re stressed or low, avoid default responses like, “Everyone feels that way,” or “Just push through.” Instead, try: “That sounds incredibly hard. Thank you for telling me.” Validation does not mean agreement — it means recognition. 5. Learn to Spot the Red Flags Warning signs may include: • Withdrawal from friends or usual activities • Sleep or appetite changes • Flat affect or emotional numbness • Self-deprecating jokes or fatalistic remarks • Talk of being a burden or not belonging • Obsessive perfectionism or total shutdown If your intuition says something’s wrong—believe it. Don’t wait for proof. Reach out. Speak to them. Engage a counsellor or therapist. 6. Get Help — Not Just for Them, But for You Supporting a struggling teen can be overwhelming. You don’t need to do it alone. Therapy isn’t just for crisis — it’s a space for healing, insight, and reconnection. And when you do your own inner work, you model resilience and self-compassion they can follow. You Don’t Need to Fix Everything. You Just Need to Stay. Many teens on the brink of suicide don’t actually want to die. They want the pain to stop. They want to feel safe, seen, and supported in a world that often feels fast, cold, and demanding. You, as a parent, have the power to slow it down. To soften the space. To say, without condition: “I’m here. You matter. We’ll face this together.” Sometimes, that’s all it takes to bring a young person back from the edge.

“Girl, if you have five real friends after 60, you’ve made some good choices.” said this voice full of wisdom. I remember that taxi ride very clearly. At that moment, I chuckled and started counting my “close” friends using my fingers, toes and maybe even a few rounds in. That sentence stuck with me for over 20 years. I knew deep down someday I will have to recollect that moment. Friendship is beautiful. It is also layered, unpredictable and at times, bittersweet. It grows, withers, surprises us, quietly fades away and sometimes comes back in new form. This is especially true as we transition through life, careers, motherhood, healing and reinvention, our social circles shift with us. Who you needed yesterday may not be who you need today. If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering “Where did everyone go?” or “Why do I feel closer to someone I just met than people I’ve known for years?”, you are not alone. You’re just evolving. And evolution rarely leaves your social circle untouched. What Is Friendship, Really? By definition, friendship is “a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations.” But let’s be real, that doesn’t capture the heart of it. To me, friendship is… A soul who supports you without judgement. A person who calls you out with love and cheers you on even louder. Someone who holds space for your becoming. So I’ll ask you, what’s your definition of friendship? Take a breath. Feel into it. You might find your answer has changed. That’s not wrong. It is honest. There’s no shame in evolving, only alignment with your present truth. When You Change, So Do Your Friendships This part can feel tender: when your inner world shifts, your outer circle often reflects that. Some friends will rise with you and celebrate your growth. Some surprise you by meeting you right where you are. Some will resist your change. And some will quietly fade. It’s not about fault; it’s about alignment. That friend who used to be your late-night rant partner might not be your 6 AM hike buddy. And the colleague who didn’t really “get you” five years ago? He / She might be your biggest fan now. Change is inevitable. Clinging to what was can hold you back from what’s possible. What Role Does Energy Play in Friendship? In the Energy Leadership™ framework , we recognize 7 levels of energy. Each representing a way of thinking, feeling and showing up in the world. These levels can also show us how we relate to our friends especially when change enters the picture. Let’s explore: ⚫ Level 1: Victim Energy "No one understands me anymore." This is where disconnection and self-doubt live. You may retreat or feel abandoned. Friendships can feel draining when this is the dominant lens. 🔴 Level 2: Conflict Energy "They don’t support me like I support them." Resentments build. You may find yourself judging, comparing or feeling the urge to prove yourself. Friendships become power plays instead of safe spaces. 🟠 Level 3: Coping Energy "It’s fine. I’ll just adjust to keep the peace." This is the friend who avoids conflict and over-accommodates. It looks harmonious on the outside but often sacrifices authenticity for the sake of connection. 🟡 Level 4: Service Energy "How can I support you through your change?" Here, friendships are built on empathy and care. This friend holds space for your becoming, even if it’s different from their own. 🟢 Level 5: Opportunity Energy "What if this shift brings us closer or introduces new aligned people?" There’s curiosity and collaboration here. You start to see that every change in a friendship opens doors for deeper alignment or necessary redirection. 🔵 Level 6: Flow Energy "I trust the right people will rise with me." At this level, friendships feel effortless, expansive and aligned with your highest values. There’s no grasping, just grace. ⚪ Level 7: Oneness Energy "There’s no separation between giving and receiving love." This is pure connection. Friendships here are soul-level, transcending ego or expectation. Rare, but powerful when experienced. So How Do You Navigate Friendship During Change? Transitions will test your relationships but they’ll also reveal your energetic patterns. Here’s how to move forward consciously: ✅ Get curious, not judgmental – Notice how you're showing up (what level of energy), and how others are too. ✅ Honor mismatches without blame – Some friendships fade. That doesn’t mean they failed. It means the alignment shifted. ✅ Invite new energy – Stay open to friends who match where you are now, not just where you’ve been. ✅ Say thank you loudly or silently – To the ones who stayed. To the ones who couldn’t. To yourself. ✅ Be the kind of energy you want to attract – Every friendship is a mirror. What are you reflecting? Final Thought: You’re Allowed to Outgrow People Outgrowing isn’t betrayal. It’s evolution. You’re allowed to choose friendships that nourish the version of you you’re becoming not just the one you have been. Celebrate this evolution. So go ahead, count your friends on fingers, toes, even add a few imaginary rounds. But more importantly, ask yourself: Are these people reflections of the life I want to live? Because that’s the circle worth nurturing.  If you want to explore coaching with Praveen, get in touch with us: info@counselingperspective.com