Mental Health

“I don't feel that it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning."

― Michel Foucault, French philosopher and social theorist

Definitions

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Mental Health

There is no health without mental health.

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According to the WHO (2018), mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual can:

• Realise his/her abilities
• Cope with the normal stresses of life
• Work productively
• Have the ability to contribute to the community

Mental Disorders

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According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a mental disorder is characterised by clinically significant disturbances in a person’s behaviour, thinking or feeling that suggest dysfunction in psychological, biological or developmental processes underlying mental functioning.

Mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress or disability in social, occupational or other important activities.

As a rule of thumb, it satisfies three criteria:

• Deviance : Serious deviation from the social norms of the culture
• Distress : Causes significant personal distress in social, occupational or other recreational activities
• Dysfunction : Behaviour which interferes with the ability of a person to function effectively

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Important Statistics

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According to findings from the Singapore Mental Health Study (2016):

• Comparing with the 2010 study, there was an increase in lifetime prevalence of mental illness from 12% in 2010 to 13.9% in 2016.
• 1 in 7 people in Singapore has experienced these disorders in their lifetime ( __% of the adult population 18y/o and above):
  • Mood disorders: Major depressive disorder (6.3%), bipolar disorder (1.6%)
  • Anxiety disorders: Obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder (OCD+GAD = 4.8%)
  • Alcohol use disorders: Alcohol abuse/dependence
• Those aged 18 – 34 years, divorced or separated were more likely to have mood disorders
• Alcohol Abuse and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are highly common in Singapore.

Issues Faced by People with Mental Health Issues

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Issue 1:

Existing Resources

Gaps and Their Causes

Possible Solutions

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Resource Directory

Stories

Tapestry Project

An independent, not-for-profit website that champions mental health recovery through the power of story. Link here.

Financial Support

Zen Dylan Koh and his mother.

The Zen Dylan Koh Fund - A fund that supports youths with mental health issues in need of therapy.

Voluntary Welfare Organisations

Free Counselling & Assessments

Care Corner Counselling Centre,1800-3535-800 (Mon-Sun, 10am-10pm): http://www.carecorner.org.sg/cccc.html

CHAT (youth aged 16 to 30) : https://www.chat.mentalhealth.sg/

Silver Ribbon (Singapore), 6386 1928: http://www.silverribbonsingapore.com

Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH), 1800 283 7019: http://www.samhealth.org.sg/mental-health-information/

AWARE

Provides counselling for women over a range of issues, here.