Mediation can Ease Mental Toll of Divorce: MWS FAM@FSC Head
Divorce can be an incredibly painful experience, often accompanied by significant psychological and emotional stress. Mediation offers a way to ease this burden by providing a softer approach to dispute resolution without the hostility and pressure often found in courtroom battles.
As such, mediation should be initiated as early as possible to smoothen the divorce process, allowing individuals to begin healing while minimising potential emotional and mental stressors, advised Yeow Ming Zhen, Head of Strengthening Families Programme@Family Service Centre (MWS FAM@FSC).
“Communication is key. Regardless of how (the divorcing couple) feels about each other and the problems they are experiencing, it’s important for them to know that the children still matter,” she emphasised. “If they are able to communicate and work these (issues) out effectively and efficiently, they won’t only be helping themselves; they’d also help the family to heal more quickly from this painful event.”
Ming Zhen, who is also the Associate Director of Strategic Development under MWS’ Family Services group, was part of a panel speaking at a live webinar titled Divorce under Civil Law held on 28 October 2024, as part of the Law Awareness Weeks@CDC.
Drawing on her 14 years of experience as a community social worker, Ming Zhen also highlighted the various counselling and support services available in the community for couples contemplating or undergoing divorce, including discernment counselling to help couples make an informed decision about whether to stay married or divorce.
Above all, children’s voices need to be heard during the divorce process, stressed Ming Zhen. She underscored the importance of parents maintaining open communication with their children about the divorce, while avoiding over-sharing, and ensuring they receive adequate supervision and care during the transition. “There may be times when the (divorcing) parents find it emotionally harder to be present. We’ve seen cases of older children or even adolescents turning to unhealthy coping strategies because of the stress of academics as well as what’s happening at home, so inadequate supervision could lead to behavioural issues,” she cautioned.
The webinar drew over 150 participants.
Visit mws.sg/ming-zhen-law-at-cdc-2024 to watch the webinar.
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