February 07, 2021 Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan said it was okay to seek help by attending counselling. Screengrab from Facebook/ MOCA - Moulmein-Cairnhill Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan had to repeat the first year of his junior college. Even after that, he did not score well for his A levels — getting two "Ds" and a "C" — and could not attend a local university. His relationship with his then-girlfriend also ended while he was doing his national service. "I felt really down, very low... when you are in a depressive state, it feels as though you are in a washing machine — you do not know which way is up," said Mr Tan, who is also the Minister of State for Trade and Industry.