People talk about the seven-year itch in marriage – and there just might be some truth to it.

Of the couples in Singapore who tied the knot in 2003, close to seven in 100 broke up before their fifth wedding anniversary. By 2013, another 9% split up before their 10^th anniversary. After the first decade, however, the odds of a divorce became lower.

The statistics, revealed in the 2025 Family Trends Report by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, underscore the importance of timely intervention, as well as support for couples in the early years of their marriage.

In response to this, the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) has launched a new toolkit to help laypeople provide early intervention for married couples in conflict, in hopes of strengthening support before challenges escalate.

Said Yeow Ming Zhen, Associate Director (Strategic Development), MWS Family Services Group: “When couples face challenges, the first people they often turn to are friends or family members, rather than social service agencies like ours.

“This initiative equips volunteers and the community with the skills and confidence to step in early – like first responders within a circle of support – to listen without judgement and offer practical help when it can make the greatest difference.

“Essentially, we hope to strengthen early support.” 

Self-explanatory and practical

Developed by a team of experienced MWS social workers and counsellors, the Befriender’s Toolkit: Engaging Couples in Marital Conflict is intentionally designed to be self-explanatory, practical and easy to use. 

Written in simple and jargon-free language, it helps readers understand sources of marital tension, recognise common interaction and stress-response patterns, and guide conversations towards timely intervention and positive conflict resolution.

Physical copies of the Befriender’s Toolkit: Engaging Couples in Marital Conflict were made available at its launch at the MWS Empowering Life Awards on January 30, 2026.

It also highlights how ongoing conflict affects children, and offers practical ways to protect children who may be caught in the crossfire.

A wider ecosystem of help

Counsellors and social workers from MWS’ Strengthening Families Programme (FAM) are also running a specialised training that builds on the toolkit.

The training focuses on honing practical relational skills, such as managing interpersonal dynamics, navigating sensitive conversations, and knowing when professional help may be needed. 

MWS hopes that both the toolkit and training sessions will widen the base of community support, and enable people to offer an empathetic and informed presence. This complements existing professional services and strengthens the overall ecosystem of support for couples and families, said MWS.

This initiative is part of MWS’ larger Volunteer Equipping Programme, which includes training and practical toolkits for those befriending individuals with chronic illness, engaging those with mental health challenges, supporting persons living with dementia, and connecting with children and youth.

Through the programme, MWS seeks to educate, equip and empower the community to form a circle of support around individuals and families facing life’s challenges.

Interested parties may request for a digital copy of the Befriender’s Toolkit: Engaging Couples in Marital Conflict here, under the section Resources: MWS Befriender’s Toolkits.

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