Biography
Biography: Chong Hwee
Abstract
Uniformed officers working with the Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA) of Singapore are part of the Home Team Officers (including Police officers, Prison officers and Fire Fighters) serving under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This paper aims to explore the occupational and organizational stress among immigration officers in ICA. While immigration officers are facing similar stressors as those by Police officers (E.g. shift work, dealing with members of public and difficulty transiting between work and personal life), limited research has been done on stressors and the mental wellness of immigration officers. This study focuses on investigating the challenges and psychological service needs of ICA officers to aid in the shaping of in-house mental wellness services to maintain and enhance the mental resiliency of these guardians of our borders. This study includes a review of existing literature, observation and feedback made during ground visits to ICA work premises and a self-reporting survey by the officers. Findings are reported in this paper followed by recommendations to meet the identified gaps.