Singapore Management University

Fostering Resilience Through a Tailored Digital Wellbeing Platform


The Challenge

Singapore Management University (SMU), renowned for its innovative and globally engaged curriculum, wanted to extend its support for student well-being by offering a digital platform that aligned with its Resilience Framework. This framework covers key dimensions such as emotional, social, physical, and intellectual resilience, with the aim of helping students "bounce back" from life’s challenges. SMU needed a solution that would integrate well-being resources into the student experience and provide personalised support through digital means. The solution had to be adaptable and reflect SMU's unique cultural and educational environment.

The Solution

In collaboration with SMU, we introduced the Resilience@SMU app, a well-being platform specifically tailored to align with the university’s Resilience Framework. This digital solution provides students with access to a comprehensive range of mental health resources, tools for resilience-building, and well-being techniques, all available 24/7. The app was designed to reflect the university’s commitment to student development, both academically and personally, offering resources mapped to SMU’s six resilience dimensions: physical, intellectual, social, emotional, career, and financial resilience.

Key Features:

Alignment with the SMU Resilience Framework: The app is structured to reflect SMU’s resilience-building philosophy, helping students strengthen their capacity to deal with academic, emotional, and social challenges.

Customised Wellbeing Tools: Students can access tools such as stress management techniques, mindfulness exercises, and career development resources, tailored to their specific needs and experiences at SMU.

24/7 Accessibility: Available anytime, the app offers critical well-being support when students need it most, ensuring they can manage their mental health and resilience proactively.


Working in Partnership

From the outset, the collaboration with SMU has been a prime example of partnership-driven innovation. Our team worked closely with SMU’s Student Services and Well-being departments to ensure that the app was reflective of the university’s needs. This included mapping SMU’s Resilience Framework into the app, creating an experience that would resonate with students and align with the university’s overall mission.

Impact

Since the launch of the Resilience@SMU app, it has become an essential part of the university’s well-being strategy. The app has seen high engagement from students, particularly around key stress points like exams and career planning. Students appreciate the ability to access well-being support tailored to their resilience-building needs, which is available without the need for appointments or waiting times.

Next Steps

The ongoing partnership with SMU remains strong, with continuous refinement of the app based on student and staff feedback. We are currently exploring additional ways to enhance the app’s functionality, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of SMU’s support for student well-being and resilience. By continuing to align with SMU’s Resilience Framework, we aim to keep providing valuable support for students navigating both academic and personal challenges, ensuring that the university’s commitment to holistic student development is fully realised.

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