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.
‘Crazy, weird, scary’: Survey unveils negative labels youths associate with mental illness SINGAPORE — Researchers have called for regular and compulsory education on mental health for youths, in the wake of a study that found a large proportion of this group having misconceptions of mental illness. Almost half (44.5 per cent) of 940 teenage students polled attached negative and pejorative labels to people with mental illness. “Crazy”, “weird”, “scary”, “stupid” and “dangerous” were among the words that came to mind then the respondents heard the term “mental illness”, reported the study, which was presented at the Frontiers in Mental Health symposium organised by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and Nanyang Technological University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine on Tuesday (March 6). Some 46.2 per cent of the respondents, who were aged between 14 and 18, also said they would be “very embarrassed” if they were diagnosed with a mental illness, while nearly a quarter (22.7 per cent) said they would not want others to know if their relative were mentally ill.
It is clear that there are existing stigma present... Duke-NUS students seek to remove stigma of mental illness, Latest Singapore News He was having a cup of coffee with a secondary school friend last year when the friend told him he had been suffering from depression. Mr Clement Sim was surprised that his friend had had depression for about a decade and he never suspected anything. Mr Sim, 29, now in his third year studying medicine at the Duke-NUS Medical School, said: "He was always cheerful and bubbly, and it really pained me to know that he was suffering in silence for the past 10 years." Upon learning he was studying psychiatry, two more of Mr Sim's friends came forward to tell him that they were suffering from depression. This prompted Mr Sim to start I'm Steady Lah, a student-organised community service project that aims to remove the stigma associated with mental health disorders. Together with six of his schoolmates, Mr Sim started the project in June last year and held its first event last October. The project, in its second year, is funded by Duke-NUS and a grant from the National Youth Council.
7 Avenues to Get Help In Singapore For Mental Health Issues According to a study done by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in 2010,12% of Singapore's population has had mental health disorders in their lifetime. It led me to think about what I would do if a friend of mine was struggling with a mental health issue. As a Singaporean, I was disappointed to find out that I actually have no idea where someone can get help if they have a mental health issue. Searching on the internet gave me only a few options, which I felt was insufficient. So after further research online and talking to a few mental health therapists, I decided to write this article to answer the following question: How to get help in Singapore for mental health issues? I am not only referring to people with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, severe anxiety or depression. 7 places to get mental health support in Singapore 1 ) Private GPs/ Family doctors 2 ) Polyclinic GPs in polyclinics can also refer you to a mental health specialist in a public hospital. 3) Hospitals
National Healthcare Group Polyclinics A clinical psychologist works closely with doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals to enable patients to manage and improve their mental and physical health. A clinical psychologist is qualified to provide assessment, counselling and psychotherapy for patients with stress-related problems, common mental health problems, with or without physical health conditions. A clinical psychologist also helps patients with an understanding of the factors that contribute to their problems and that maintain them. Through working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, a clinical psychologist also helps patients manage unhelpful thoughts, emotions and behaviours. This aims to improve patients' mental well-being and increase readiness to take steps to change thoughts, emotions and behaviours to reduce symptoms and increase healthy lifestyle habits. (i) stress in your personal, work or social life (iii) depression (iv) grief and loss (vi) mood swings, emotional distress
What is Mental Illness A mental illness is a disturbance of the mind that impairs the way we think, feel and behave. It affects our daily activities, as well as impact the lives of family members and friends. Mood and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses. About one in seven Singaporeans have experienced a mood or anxiety disorder at some point of their lives[1]. Diagnosis is made through clinical tests and observations. Despite their prevalence, persons with mental illness still face considerable stigma and discrimination. Let us look at some common misconceptions associated with mental illness. Take the first step by acknowledging that you may have a mental health condition. Consult a doctor or mental health professionalTalk to family members and friendsFind support in online forumsJoin a peer support groupCall SAMH Counselling Hotline at 1800 283 7019 (toll-free) You are aware that someone close to you may be suffering from a mental illness. Recovery is unique to each individual.
More struggling with alcohol abuse, but seeking help earlier, Health News A growing number of people here are struggling to cope with alcohol abuse, though more are seeking help for the condition earlier than was the case before, a nationwide mental health study has revealed. The second Singapore Mental Health Study, which was conducted in 2016, showed that in the six years that separated it from the first study, the issue had become more serious. Almost 13.9 per cent - or one in seven people here - admitted that they had experienced mental illness at some point in their life. This was an increase from the 12 per cent - or one in eight people - who said the same thing in the first study in 2010. Touching on the general trend, Dr Mythily Subramaniam, the research division director of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), said: "Younger cohorts have a higher prevalence of mental illness, possibly because they are more aware of it and willing to talk about their symptoms." This means one in 24 people here now battles alcohol abuse, compared with one in 32 in 2010.
Considerable stigma against mental illness: Study SINGAPORE — An Institute of Mental Health (IMH) study has found a common perception here that those with mental illness can get better if they wanted to and that their condition is a sign of personal weakness. Researchers behind the study said this suggests “considerable” stigma towards individuals with mental illness. The stigma could hinder such individuals from seeking treatment out of fear of being associated with a disorder. The mental health literacy study spanning one year started in March last year and involved about 3,000 adult residents aged between 18 and 65. It examined how well people could recognise five common mental disorders — alcohol abuse, dementia, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia — and their beliefs towards these conditions. To measure stigma, researchers used scales to gauge people’s attitudes towards the individual suffering from a mental illness, as well as how willing they are to spend time with such persons.
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.
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.