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Leading with faith: A journey in mental health advocacy

Gasper Tan 2B
(top left) Gasper Tan assumed the role of CEO at SOS in 2019 (above) Gasper Tan speaking at the Christian Mental Health Conference in 2023

In the world of crisis intervention and suicide prevention, hope can often seem elusive, but for one CEO, faith has been a guiding light, illuminating the path towards healing and resilience. Gasper Tan stands as a testament to this enduring strength. As the CEO of Samaritans of Singapore Limited (SOS), he embodies the spirit of unwavering faith and hope. Under his steadfast stewardship, SOS has transformed both corporately and in its service offerings beyond its well-known 24-hour hotline, while keeping to the same mission—providing a refuge of solace and empathy to those grappling with their deepest challenges.

Gasper’s journey into the world of mental health advocacy was shaped by his personal trials which led to a turning point in his faith. In the early 2000s, as he began to excel in his marketplace career, Gasper found himself struggling to navigate the daunting challenges of the corporate sphere—a domain where achievement was quantified by tangible rewards and recognition, and where success was measured in material gain and accolades. But the road to success was marred by the haunting spectre of his mother’s battle with depression. The weight of her suffering bore heavily on him. When news of her suicide attempts reached him, Gasper found himself teetering on the precipice of despair.

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A mountaintop experience in the valley

Yet, it was within this seemingly bottomless chasm of despair that Gasper experienced a profound transformation. In the depths of darkness, he rediscovered God, finding solace and strength in Scripture. This spiritual renewal reminded him that true success is not measured by worldly standards but by  the love, peace, and hope found in a life aligned with God’s purpose. He discovered the importance of nurturing not just the mind and body, but also the soul, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Through Psalm 139:23-24, God revealed that he was intimately aware of Gasper’s inner turmoil. In a moment of humble surrender, Gasper prayed for the Lord to search his heart, recognising that his trials were not mere obstacles but integral milestones in understanding his true purpose under God’s sovereign design.

This prompted him to depart from the hustle of the marketplace, to be still, and surrender his life entirely into God’s hands. Over the course of four years, God meticulously worked in Gasper’s life, speaking to him clearly through his Word (specifically the Book of Job) and shaping him for a divine purpose. God gently steered his journey toward an unforeseen calling—joining SOS as its CEO in 2019. Gasper felt unprepared, as his previous experiences appeared to lack direct relevance.

But the comforting words of Isaiah 41:10 offered reassurance as he ventured into unfamiliar territory, reminding him of God’s constant presence: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Embracing these scriptural truths, he found the courage to step boldly into his calling, trusting in God’s provision every step of the way and started by applying his marketplace experience and talents to the role.

As Gasper, who is a member of Foochow Methodist Church, assumed the role of CEO at SOS, he was struck by a profound realisation: SOS was not merely an organisation but a conduit for God’s love and compassion in a fractured world. Recognising its role as a tangible expression of hope and healing, Gasper’s heart resonated deeply with SOS’s mission—to extend hope to those wrestling with despair and isolation. He firmly embraced the significance of inclusivity, understanding that every individual, regardless of their struggles, deserved compassion and support—a principle reflective of Jesus’ own compassionate nature.

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More than just a hotline

Since his stewardship, SOS has expanded its services and outreach programmes beyond its 24-hour helpline to include a text messaging service, crisis intervention, support for suicide attempters, support for grieving families who have lost loved ones to suicide, and extensive training initiatives empowering the community to assist individuals in crisis. Reflecting on this growth over the last five years, Gasper attributes it to God’s guiding hand. “Each step forward is a testament to aligning with God’s divine plan and faithfully fulfilling the mission entrusted to us,” Gasper says.

During an office renovation three years ago, Gasper stumbled upon archived documents detailing the inception of SOS and its deep-rooted connection to The Methodist Church in Singapore. (The founding director of SOS was the late Rev Dr Gunnar J Teilmann Jr, an American Methodist missionary pastor who pastored several Methodist and Anglican churches in Singapore before heading SOS.1) Gasper believed that this discovery was not a revelation of historical facts, but a divine orchestration of events, highlighting how God’s hand had been at work since the very inception of SOS.

For Gasper, his faith has been more than just a belief system; it has been a source of strength and inspiration in his work. “God’s goodness is evident in every aspect of our journey,” he shares. “From the tireless dedication of volunteers and staff to the transformative impact witnessed in the lives of those touched by our programmes, we witness God’s hand at work daily.”


Samaritans of Singapore conducts the “Be A Samaritan” (BAS) programme which aims to equip communities with the knowledge and skills to be a first- responder to anyone facing a crisis. Communities who have experienced a suicide loss may also get in touch to arrange for critical incident stress debrief sessions.

For enquiries or more information, please write in to comms@sos.org.sg

24-hour Hotline: 1767

24-hour CareText: 9151 1767 (via WhatsApp)

1 https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/hello-samaritans-of-singapore-can-i-help-you/

Sandra Wee oversees communications at Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) and believes in empowering communication with compassion. / Photos courtesy of SOS

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