When the Covid-19 pandemic struck and Singapore introduced the circuit breaker in April 2020, Bobby*, who worked in the banking sector, still had to report to the office to manage daily operations. His parents and parents-in-law, who normally helped care for his young children before the pandemic, were unable to assist during this time. Balancing work responsibilities and family life became exceptionally difficult for Bobby and his wife.
“Limited social interaction amid the unpredictable Covid-19 situation took a heavy toll on my mental health,” Bobby recalled. “At the same time, our third child had just been born and was constantly crying. There was growing tension between my wife and mother over how to care for the newborn, and I felt caught in the middle. All these stressors pushed me to the brink. One night, I went for a drive, seriously contemplating how to end my life.”
