How to thrive in your midlife according to Dr June Goh

For Dr June Goh, public safety begins with building resilience before crises strike. As an SCWO (Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations) board member and Her World Tribe member, the anaesthesiologist and neurocritical care specialist mentors junior doctors and supports women navigating the realities of ageing. 

SAGE 2025 will be held on September 29 and is based around the theme “Changing Mindsets in a Changing World.” In the lead-up to moderating a panel titled “Not Done Yet: Thriving in the Midlife Years,” she highlights how preparation, community, and open dialogue can strengthen both body and mind. With one in four Singaporeans projected to be over 65 by 2030, conversations about midlife have never been more urgent.

You are moderating a panel for SAGE 2025 titled “Not Done Yet: Thriving in the Midlife Years.” Why do you believe this conversation is important today?

By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be over 65, many facing the ‘double care’ burden of supporting children and ageing parents. Women, often primary caregivers, are hardest hit, with career breaks affecting retirement savings. This conversation is crucial to promote shared caregiving and to create safe spaces for midlife women to prepare for retirement with confidence, both financially and emotionally.

Midlife can be a period of significant pressure, especially for women navigating leadership roles, family responsibilities, and health transitions. What are society’s biggest blind spots for women navigating such pressures?

While women’s employment rates have risen, they mask the reality for those forced to take career breaks for caregiving. Persistent gender norms still cast women as default carers, creating gaps that limit advancement, financial security, and confidence. For those who stay in the workforce, menopause remains an invisible challenge — over half of affected Singaporean women in mid-to-senior roles see their quality of life and performance decline during this time. Without workplace support, many step back or leave, taking decades of expertise with them.

The pressures of midlife are hardly spoken about in society and at work. How can we change this perception?

Education and awareness are crucial. At SCWO, we celebrate trailblazing women through the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame and inspire youth via Project Awesome. Broader public campaigns and health education can demystify menopause, equip women with coping strategies, and encourage open conversations at work and in the community.

What policies or support systems can truly empower midlife women in Singapore?

Caregiving should be shared. Paternity and eldercare leave must be normalised, flexible work arrangements supported, and respite care or home caregiving grants made more accessible to help midlife women balance work and family without career setbacks

How do you personally define thriving during this chapter of life, and has that definition evolved for you over the years?

For me, thriving means having clarity on my priorities and good health to live as I choose. Resilience has grown from weathering personal and professional storms. I invest in my well-being, prioritise preventive health, and stay open to new experiences, whether a skill or sport. By understanding and managing the changes of this stage, I can approach it with confidence and optimism.

What do you hope SAGE 2025 attendees take away, and what advice would you give women entering midlife?

I hope they leave with knowledge, solidarity, and the reassurance they are not alone. Surround yourself with support, stay informed, and take charge of this phase. To women entering midlife: your wisdom and experience matter. Embrace change, explore new paths, and view this chapter as a powerful, fulfilling stage of life.

The SCWO SAGE 2025 conference will take place on September 29 at One Farrer Hotel.