Fast Facts on Mental Health in Singapore 51% of mental illness patients suffer from a chronic physical illness, because there is a link between the twoDepression, alcohol abuse and obsessive compulsive disorder are the top 3 most common disorders in Singapore29 The age at which the majority of mental illnesses occur5.8% of the adult population in Singapore has suffered from depression at some point in their lives Symptoms of top 3 disorders Depression: loses interest in daily life, has feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of suicide Alcohol Abuse: has to drink more and more alcohol to feel its effects as tolerance for the substance increases, experiences sweating and other withdrawal symptoms when not drinking Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Obsessive: has persistent and irrational thoughts, impulses or images that cause anxiety or distress like an overwhelming fear of germs and dirt Compulsive: repeats actions like checking and rechecking locks several times over Treatment Stay Positive Start smiling to lift your mood Ref.
'I don't want to be Eugene Tan with bipolar': People with mental health issues face workplace discrimination SINGAPORE: At first glance, Mr Eugene Tan’s 20-year work history shows a strong background as a counsellor and social worker. But on closer inspection, you will find that he took a year's break at the age of 24 and there have been some gaps between jobs. This was due to Mr Tan’s condition. He has bipolar disorder - a mental condition characterised by extreme highs and lows in mood. Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after a car accident, his emotions took a turn for the worse, culminating in fits of rage and hallucinations. It was then, in 2002, that he was diagnosed as bipolar. After that, he was reluctant to declare his condition in job applications. “Once you declare, you may not even get an interview,” he told Channel NewsAsia. While that had been a hunch, proof that it was true came earlier this year. The answer he received was: “Better not, lah. But withholding the truth at work comes with its own challenges, he said. “There’s always this insecurity.
Getting Help - Over The Rainbow Child Guidance Clinic (CGC)Offers mental health and educational services for children and youths up to 19 years of age. Most patients are experiencing emotional and behavioural problems requiring professional intervention, not mental illnesses. Locations: Child Guidance Clinic (CGC), Health Promotion Board (HPB) Second Hospital Avenue, #03-01, Singapore 168937 Tel: 6389 2220 Email: hpb@imh.com.sg Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am–5pm Sunrise Wing, Child Guidance Clinic (CGC) National Healthcare Group Polyclinics: Singhealth Polyclinics: Adam Road Medical CentreA private psychiatric clinic with a professional staff (psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and counsellors) offering outpatient evaluation and treatment services for emotional distress and mental illnesses.
Self-imposed stigma compounds struggles of individuals with mental illness SINGAPORE: Individuals with mental illness often grapple with stigma or negative public perceptions about their conditions and their struggle can be compounded further through self-imposed stigma. “Self-imposed stigma is the process by which persons with mental illness accept the negative attitudes of others towards them, then internalise and apply these beliefs to themselves,” said Associate Professor Mythily Subramaniam, director of the Department of Research at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). “Examples of self-imposed stigma include endorsement of negative stereotypes held by the public such as ‘I am dangerous’, ‘I am weak’, or ‘I am ashamed that I have a mental illness’,” she said. Based on an 18-month study on 280 outpatients from IMH suffering from depression, schizophrenia, anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), researchers have found that self-imposed stigma may influence the impact of perceived stigma, quality of life, self-esteem and function.
Community Facilities Some teens, wary of being dismissed, seek mental health help without parents knowing SINGAPORE: Some teenagers with mental health issues are seeking help without their parents' knowledge due to fears of being dismissed or a reluctance to make them worry, psychiatrists and counsellors said. An increase in mental health public awareness could also be driving them to seek assistance, the experts said, adding that the teenagers know of the kinds of help available to them. This comes as the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) said in September that more teens aged 10 to 19 were writing in for emotional support. In the 2017/18 fiscal year, 530 teens emailed the suicide prevention centre, a 53 per cent jump from the 347 the year before. “Teens usually expressed their fear of being judged as well as of the reactions they may receive from family members,” an SOS spokesperson said. “Many teens feel a lack of effective communication and understanding between family members.” This could be because such teens are wary of being dismissed at home, Dr Ong said.
OCD in top three mental disorders, sufferers seeking help later Study shows Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects one in 28 people here and sufferers are delaying treatment longer Afraid that someone would break into his house, he would check the locks on his front gate and door. He was so anxious about making a mistake and letting a burglar slip through that he would repeat this 50 to 60 times. "He would end up not being able to do anything else because he would be terribly late for appointments. "It came to a point where he seldom could make it for work," said senior psychologist at The Therapy Room Lawrence Tan, 40. He was describing the debilitating effect an obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can have on a sufferer. His comments came in the wake of the latest national mental health study, which showed that OCD remains one of the top three mental illnesses here. It affects one in 28 people living here in their lifetime, behind alcohol abuse (one in 24) and depression (one in 16).
Some of the significant obstacles faced by service users and providers: OCD is poorly understood and public awareness about the signs and symptoms, which can be hard to recognise, is lacking. NCSS - What we can do to address stigma The Movement’s desired outcomes for employers are: Provide a safe and supportive environment for disclosure Adopt more inclusive hiring practices and put in place workplace accommodations Equip colleagues with confidence and knowledge to support persons with mental health conditions In May 2018, a WorkWell Leaders Workgroup comprising private and public sector leaders was formed to champion workplace wellbeing as a leadership priority. As its first collective action, the workgroup rallied employers to support the Beyond the Label campaign in the workplace on 10 October 2018, World Mental Health Day. These employers also pledged their commitment to the cause beyond the day. Click here for the list of employers who have pledged. If you would like to find out more or be part of this movement, please contact the Mental Health Services team at ncss_mental_health@ncss.gov.sg.
Many still steer clear of people with mental illness: Poll, Singapore News Even as more people are seeking outpatient treatment at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), more than five in 10 respondents in a recent survey indicated they are unwilling to live with, live nearby or work with a person with a mental health condition. The survey, which is the first of its kind by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), found that most people agree that more needs to be done to reduce societal stigma, yet they are also reluctant to accept them on an individual level. In the survey of 1,796 people conducted last year, six in 10 people said they believe that mental health conditions are caused by a lack of self-discipline and willpower, while half believe that persons with mental health conditions should not be given any responsibility. But seven in 10 respondents acknowledged that persons with mental health conditions experience stigma and discrimination in their daily lives, and eight in 10 said they believe the best therapy is for them to be included in society.
People with mental issues face job discrimination, Singapore News The hallucinations and delusions started in her late teens. Then five years ago, Ms Hafizah Kamarulzaman was diagnosed with schizophrenia after giving birth to her son. While the single mother, now 23, managed to control her condition after seeking help, she struggled to get a job for almost four years, she told The Sunday Times. She described how she was turned down for positions in the food and beverage and healthcare sectors, on the sidelines of an event called "Walk with Us, Stamp out Stigma". She said: "When the boss saw in my application form for a waitressing job that I had a mental illness, he asked what would happen if I had a relapse. "His response was, 'If that's the case, then our position is full'." FACING OUTRIGHT REJECTIONWhen the boss saw in my application form for a waitressing job that I had a mental illness, he asked what would happen if I had a relapse. Others interviewed by The Sunday Times said they felt the sense of societal rejection most acutely while job hunting.
Mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability...