Health x Wellness
Over-The-Rainbow Pledges $1 Million to Launch The OTR Academy, Advancing Mental Health Support in Singapore
Singapore’s mental health landscape is set for a shift with the launch of The OTR Academy, an initiative by Over-The-Rainbow (OTR) aimed at training 10,000 wellbeing practitioners by 2030.
Announced at Parenting Conference 2.0 at The Catapult Singapore, the Academy was founded on the belief that holistic self-care is the key to building stronger, more connected communities.
With a fresh $1 million pledge from OTR founders Yen-Lu and Yee Ling Chow, the Academy will provide accessible, science-backed mental health training to parents, educators, professionals, and community members, equipping them with the skills to support mental wellbeing in everyday life.
Closing the Mental Health Support Gap
The Academy arrives at a critical moment, with mental health concerns on the rise. A recent Straits Times report found that one in three youths in Singapore has experienced very poor mental health, with anxiety being the most common issue.
Despite growing awareness, access to timely, affordable, and relatable mental health support remains a challenge. The OTR Academy seeks to bridge this gap by empowering individuals to become certified wellbeing practitioners, complementing clinical intervention and aligning with Singapore’s national mental health strategy, which emphasises preventive care and community-based support.
A Groundbreaking Approach to Mental Health Education
The OTR Academy is the first of its kind globally, offering a structured pathway for individuals to build their mental health knowledge, progressing from basic awareness to advanced mentoring.
The Academy’s two-step certification pathway includes:
- The Wellbeing Champion Programme – Covers mental health literacy, self-care, and foundational skills for supporting individuals in everyday settings.
- The Wellbeing Mentor Programme – Develops advanced skills in counselling, coaching, and mentoring, enabling graduates to provide more structured support for those in need.
The first intake begins on 17 May 2025, with registration now open via OTR’s website. The hybrid learning format ensures flexibility, combining structured coursework with hands-on experience through OTR’s existing initiatives.
A Movement Rooted in Real-World Application
Beyond certification, the Academy provides ongoing development opportunities, allowing practitioners to apply their skills in both community and workplace settings through platforms such as:
- OTR Listens – A text-based support chat for youth
- Wellbeing Champion Workshops & Festivals
- Subsidised youth counselling
- Parenting Support-Line & Circles
“We are reimagining and reinventing mental health care as we know it,” explains Yen-Lu Chow, OTR Founder. “Mental wellbeing begins with each of us. By empowering individuals with transformative self-care habits, we create an interconnected Circle-of-Care, where parents, teachers, friends, and colleagues actively support one another.”
A Bold Vision for the Future
The OTR Academy aims to become a leading hub for community mental health—building a network of Wellbeing Ambassadors, Champions, and Mentors across homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
As AI and digital technologies reshape daily life, human-centred care remains essential. “Having a community network around us to enable authentic human connections is especially critical in today’s world,” Chow concludes.
Pictures courtesy of OTR Academy.
