Difference between revisions of "Youth with mental health issues"
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== Definitions == | == Definitions == | ||
=== Definition of Youth === | === Definition of Youth === | ||
| − | * [Possibly | + | * [Possibly just link to the main page] |
* According to the National Youth Council, youths are categorised as those between 15 to 35 years old in Singapore. Globally, youth mental health researchers tend to categorise youths as those between 16 to 24 years old. | * According to the National Youth Council, youths are categorised as those between 15 to 35 years old in Singapore. Globally, youth mental health researchers tend to categorise youths as those between 16 to 24 years old. | ||
=== Definition of Mental Health === | === Definition of Mental Health === | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | It is prudent to note that mental health issues do not solely refer to mental disorders. Good mental health relates to one’s mental and psychological well-being [https://www.who.int/mental_health/en/] and the absence of mental disorders is only one component towards achieving it [https://www.imh.com.sg/wellness/page.aspx?id=356]. The definition of mental health is evolving and there is no general consensus reached yet [https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/6/e007079]. | |
| + | |||
| + | Mental health issues, defined here, will include the issue of attaining good mental well being. Health Promotion Board (HPB) has outlined a continuum of mental health: (i) mental wellbeing, (ii) mental health problems and (iii) mental illness/mental disorder [https://www.chat.mentalhealth.sg/uploadedFiles/Content/Downloads/Mental%20Health%20Teachers%20Guide%20FromDownLoad.pdf]. Mental wellbeing refers to the state of an individual’s mental health. An individual with good mental well-being is able to manage and cope well despite challenging life stressors. Mental health problems would refer to an individual’s inability to maintain good mental wellbeing. They can occur to anyone, even to those with good mental well-being. If remained unresolved, they may worsen and evolve into mental illnesses, a medical condition. More on mental illnesses can be found in [[Mental Health]]. However, it is prudent to note that not every mental illness is caused by mental health problems. Mental illnesses necessitate the need for professional medical treatment whilst a mix of preventive and remedial means can be deployed to develop good mental wellbeing and resolve mental health problems. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Thus, the client segments will be divided into two main segments based on their level of treatment: (i) Youths with poor mental well-being and (ii) Youths with mental health illnesses. | ||
| + | |||
| + | (i) Youths with mental health disorders: | ||
| + | Youths are identified as a vulnerable population as they are more likely to be linked to mental disorders [https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796019000179]. The first onset of mental disorders is known to occur usually in childhood or adolescence [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1925038/]. Age of onset of mental disorder often lies in the range of late teens through early 20s [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/adult-mental-health-disorders-and-their-age-at-onset/13F1A156235E5FF0D904F2CE2FDC053F] [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1925038/] [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2560724/] [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3394882]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | (ii) Youths with poor mental well-being: | ||
| + | Youths face many stressors during this period of their lives. A common worry of these youths is their uncertainty of the future which may perpetuate feelings of “never enough” [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/disruption-prioritise-mental-health-impact-youths-singapore-11987948]. Other common stressors include academic stress [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/more-teens-in-singapore-seeking-help-for-school-stress-at-imh] [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/spore-students-suffer-from-high-levels-of-anxiety-study], cyber-bullying, life transition stresses, financial worries and relationship issues [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mental-health-youths-suicide-depression-listen-11994612]. The presence of multiple stressors may pose difficulties for youths in maintaining good mental well-being. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Youths are found to be more dissatisfied with life in the National Youth Survey 2014 [https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3092&context=soe_research]. The survey indicates a decline in ‘Satisfaction with Life’ from 2002 to 2013 and ‘Happiness with Life’ from 2002 to 2012 despite overall greater affluence | ||
| + | and educational attainment. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Youths can be further classified by their level of education and stage of life: (a) Secondary level, (b) Tertiary level and (c) Working youths. This classification highlights the differences between each group such as the modes of service delivery, perspectives and others. These differences will be crucial in designing targeted and specific services that best suit each group’s characteristics. | ||
| + | |||
| + | (a) Secondary Level | ||
| + | A common form of mental health support for youths in secondary level comes in the form of school counsellors that are readily present in every school. | ||
| + | |||
| + | However, there are many misconceptions surrounding the topic of school counselling [https://repository.nie.edu.sg/bitstream/10497/3963/7/TanSulin-MA.pdf]. Majority of the students, especially those who have no counselling experience, believe that counselling prefers, requires or fits students who are infamous for risky behaviours and poor academics. Another perception is that counselling can only be utilised when one is extremely distressed. Such association may impress upon the students that there are eligibility criteria to be able to receive counselling. Furthermore, emotional issues are not something students will seek help for. As such, counselling services in schools may not be fully utilised by the students. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Benefits to counselling need to be elaborated and misconceptions to be clarified in schools to destigmatize and create a more accurate understanding of the counselling process. Safer and more discrete help-seeking methods for self-referrals such as a mailbox or anonymous helpline. Students need to be trained to recognise signs of emotional disturbance and educated on the importance of seeking help when they see the signs in themselves or their peers. Social groups that adolescents are in such as family can be involved as they are influential in adolescents’ help-seeking decisions. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Preventive and developmental programs found unpopular among students due to the stigma of seeing the school counsellor [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03069885.2013.773286]. Among school students, counselling services are often not the preferred sources of help [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0264-3944.2004.00312.x] [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03069880903161393]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | (b) Tertiary Level | ||
| + | |||
| + | (c) Working youths | ||
| + | |||
===Sub-Pages=== | ===Sub-Pages=== | ||
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* [Size of expressed need (those receiving services and on waitlist)] | * [Size of expressed need (those receiving services and on waitlist)] | ||
* According to international research, 1 in 5 of youths globally will encounter a mental health issue. | * According to international research, 1 in 5 of youths globally will encounter a mental health issue. | ||
| − | * According to the Singapore Mental Health Study 2010, 2 in 3 do not seek help. While the ratio might be lesser for youths, given greater awareness of support services and increased normalisation of help-seeking facilitated by national level anti-stigma campaigns like the Beyond The Label campaign, the treatment gap and years lost to disability by duration of untreated mental illness continues to be significant, especially given that our people are our only resource. | + | * According to the Singapore Mental Health Study 2010, 2 in 3 do not seek help. While the ratio might be lesser for youths, given greater awareness of support services and increased normalisation of help-seeking facilitated by national level anti-stigma campaigns like the Beyond The Label campaign, the treatment gap and years lost to disability by the duration of untreated mental illness continues to be significant, especially given that our people are our only resource. |
| + | * Annually, individuals aged between 19 and 35 were reported by Institute of Mental Health’s (IMH) to make up 45% of the new patients who are diagnosed with a mental illness and between 2016 to 2018, there were 2,500 of them [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mental-health-youths-suicide-depression-listen-11994612]. These numbers do not include individuals who remain undiagnosed, on a waitlist or seek help from private clinics. IMH’s Community Health Assessment Team (Chat), which serves Singaporeans aged 16 to 30, reported a 190 per cent increase in individuals seeking help [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mental-health-youths-suicide-depression-listen-11994612]. IMH’s Child Guidance Clinic, treating children aged six to 18, has an annual average of 2,400 new cases from 2012 to 2017 [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/more-teens-in-singapore-seeking-help-for-school-stress-at-imh]. | ||
| + | * Treatment gaps among youths may also be present as observed in adults. These gaps may be contributed by stigma among the youth population as negative perceptions and embarrassment towards the issue of mental illness is significantly present [https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/7/10/e016432.full.pdf]. The presence of stigma among youths brings about the question of whether youths have sufficient social support regarding mental health issues. | ||
== Areas of Need / Desired Outcomes == | == Areas of Need / Desired Outcomes == | ||
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===[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]=== | ===[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]=== | ||
*'''Desired Outcome:''' [To insert] | *'''Desired Outcome:''' [To insert] | ||
| + | The attainment of a socially inclusive and accepting culture is vital to support youths with mental health issues. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Firstly, the importance of having a good mental-wellbeing needs to be greatly emphasised. What constitutes good mental-wellbeing, how to achieve and maintain it are some of the areas that need to be learnt. This aspect of mental health literacy needs to be enhanced as it serves as a primary safeguard against mental health issues. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Secondly, treatment gaps in youths with mental health issues need to be reduced. | ||
| + | |||
*'''Synopsis:''' [To insert] | *'''Synopsis:''' [To insert] | ||
*'''Statistics''': [To insert] | *'''Statistics''': [To insert] | ||
Revision as of 01:41, 20 May 2020
Contents
- 1 Overview
- 2 Definitions
- 3 Statistics & Figures
- 4 Areas of Need / Desired Outcomes
- 5 Resource Directory
Overview
This overview provides a synopsis of the current knowledge base. Having considered all the information, we make sense of it by taking a stab at the following: 1) What are the priority issues that deserve attention, 2) What are opportunity areas that community or voluntary organisations can already take action on, and 3) What knowledge gaps deserve further investigation?
Priority Issues
- [to insert]
- to insert]
Actionable Opportunity Areas
- [to insert]
- [to insert]
Knowledge Gaps
- [to insert]
- [to insert]
Definitions
Definition of Youth
- [Possibly just link to the main page]
- According to the National Youth Council, youths are categorised as those between 15 to 35 years old in Singapore. Globally, youth mental health researchers tend to categorise youths as those between 16 to 24 years old.
Definition of Mental Health
It is prudent to note that mental health issues do not solely refer to mental disorders. Good mental health relates to one’s mental and psychological well-being [1] and the absence of mental disorders is only one component towards achieving it [2]. The definition of mental health is evolving and there is no general consensus reached yet [3].
Mental health issues, defined here, will include the issue of attaining good mental well being. Health Promotion Board (HPB) has outlined a continuum of mental health: (i) mental wellbeing, (ii) mental health problems and (iii) mental illness/mental disorder [4]. Mental wellbeing refers to the state of an individual’s mental health. An individual with good mental well-being is able to manage and cope well despite challenging life stressors. Mental health problems would refer to an individual’s inability to maintain good mental wellbeing. They can occur to anyone, even to those with good mental well-being. If remained unresolved, they may worsen and evolve into mental illnesses, a medical condition. More on mental illnesses can be found in Mental Health. However, it is prudent to note that not every mental illness is caused by mental health problems. Mental illnesses necessitate the need for professional medical treatment whilst a mix of preventive and remedial means can be deployed to develop good mental wellbeing and resolve mental health problems.
Thus, the client segments will be divided into two main segments based on their level of treatment: (i) Youths with poor mental well-being and (ii) Youths with mental health illnesses.
(i) Youths with mental health disorders: Youths are identified as a vulnerable population as they are more likely to be linked to mental disorders [5]. The first onset of mental disorders is known to occur usually in childhood or adolescence [6]. Age of onset of mental disorder often lies in the range of late teens through early 20s [7] [8] [9] [10].
(ii) Youths with poor mental well-being: Youths face many stressors during this period of their lives. A common worry of these youths is their uncertainty of the future which may perpetuate feelings of “never enough” [11]. Other common stressors include academic stress [12] [13], cyber-bullying, life transition stresses, financial worries and relationship issues [14]. The presence of multiple stressors may pose difficulties for youths in maintaining good mental well-being.
Youths are found to be more dissatisfied with life in the National Youth Survey 2014 [15]. The survey indicates a decline in ‘Satisfaction with Life’ from 2002 to 2013 and ‘Happiness with Life’ from 2002 to 2012 despite overall greater affluence and educational attainment.
Youths can be further classified by their level of education and stage of life: (a) Secondary level, (b) Tertiary level and (c) Working youths. This classification highlights the differences between each group such as the modes of service delivery, perspectives and others. These differences will be crucial in designing targeted and specific services that best suit each group’s characteristics.
(a) Secondary Level A common form of mental health support for youths in secondary level comes in the form of school counsellors that are readily present in every school.
However, there are many misconceptions surrounding the topic of school counselling [16]. Majority of the students, especially those who have no counselling experience, believe that counselling prefers, requires or fits students who are infamous for risky behaviours and poor academics. Another perception is that counselling can only be utilised when one is extremely distressed. Such association may impress upon the students that there are eligibility criteria to be able to receive counselling. Furthermore, emotional issues are not something students will seek help for. As such, counselling services in schools may not be fully utilised by the students.
Benefits to counselling need to be elaborated and misconceptions to be clarified in schools to destigmatize and create a more accurate understanding of the counselling process. Safer and more discrete help-seeking methods for self-referrals such as a mailbox or anonymous helpline. Students need to be trained to recognise signs of emotional disturbance and educated on the importance of seeking help when they see the signs in themselves or their peers. Social groups that adolescents are in such as family can be involved as they are influential in adolescents’ help-seeking decisions.
Preventive and developmental programs found unpopular among students due to the stigma of seeing the school counsellor [17]. Among school students, counselling services are often not the preferred sources of help [18] [19].
(b) Tertiary Level
(c) Working youths
Sub-Pages
- Youth suicides: Youth suicides have risen to a 15-year high. 27 young people aged 10 to 19 killed themselves in 2015. This was twice as many as in 2014 and the highest in 15 years.(ST 20 Sep 2016).
- Self-harm
- Cyber-addictions
- Cyberbullying: Cyber Bullying can be an issue within Youth Mental Health page. [To insert this there: The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) in Singapore has launched a free one-stop service, called Help123, for youth cyber wellness issues. Media:http://opengovasia.com/articles/7806-national-council-of-social-service-singapore-launches-one-stop-service-for-youth-cyber-wellness-issues -Useful to have size of expressed need (those receiving services and on waitlist)]
- [To consider starting a page on youth addictions (gaming, social media, tech addiction)?]
Statistics & Figures
- [Size of the universe (size of total potential need/demand for services)]
- [Size of expressed need (those receiving services and on waitlist)]
- According to international research, 1 in 5 of youths globally will encounter a mental health issue.
- According to the Singapore Mental Health Study 2010, 2 in 3 do not seek help. While the ratio might be lesser for youths, given greater awareness of support services and increased normalisation of help-seeking facilitated by national level anti-stigma campaigns like the Beyond The Label campaign, the treatment gap and years lost to disability by the duration of untreated mental illness continues to be significant, especially given that our people are our only resource.
- Annually, individuals aged between 19 and 35 were reported by Institute of Mental Health’s (IMH) to make up 45% of the new patients who are diagnosed with a mental illness and between 2016 to 2018, there were 2,500 of them [20]. These numbers do not include individuals who remain undiagnosed, on a waitlist or seek help from private clinics. IMH’s Community Health Assessment Team (Chat), which serves Singaporeans aged 16 to 30, reported a 190 per cent increase in individuals seeking help [21]. IMH’s Child Guidance Clinic, treating children aged six to 18, has an annual average of 2,400 new cases from 2012 to 2017 [22].
- Treatment gaps among youths may also be present as observed in adults. These gaps may be contributed by stigma among the youth population as negative perceptions and embarrassment towards the issue of mental illness is significantly present [23]. The presence of stigma among youths brings about the question of whether youths have sufficient social support regarding mental health issues.
Areas of Need / Desired Outcomes
[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]
- Desired Outcome: [To insert]
The attainment of a socially inclusive and accepting culture is vital to support youths with mental health issues.
Firstly, the importance of having a good mental-wellbeing needs to be greatly emphasised. What constitutes good mental-wellbeing, how to achieve and maintain it are some of the areas that need to be learnt. This aspect of mental health literacy needs to be enhanced as it serves as a primary safeguard against mental health issues.
Secondly, treatment gaps in youths with mental health issues need to be reduced.
- Synopsis: [To insert]
- Statistics: [To insert]
| Existing Programmes | Gaps & Their Causes | Possible Solutions |
| Category A | ||
| Category B | ||
| Category C |
Category A Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category B Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category C Programmes
- insert
- insert
[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]
- Desired Outcome: [To insert]
- Synopsis: [To insert]
- Statistics: [To insert]
| Existing Programmes | Gaps & Their Causes | Possible Solutions |
| Category A | ||
| Category B | ||
| Category C |
Category A Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category B Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category C Programmes
- insert
- insert
[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]
- Desired Outcome: [To insert]
- Synopsis: [To insert]
- Statistics: [To insert]
| Existing Programmes | Gaps & Their Causes | Possible Solutions |
| Category A | ||
| Category B | ||
| Category C |
Category A Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category B Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category C Programmes
- insert
- insert
[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]
- Desired Outcome: [To insert]
- Synopsis: [To insert]
- Statistics: [To insert]
| Existing Programmes | Gaps & Their Causes | Possible Solutions |
| Category A | ||
| Category B | ||
| Category C |
Category A Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category B Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category C Programmes
- insert
- insert
[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]
- Desired Outcome: [To insert]
- Synopsis: [To insert]
- Statistics: [To insert]
| Existing Programmes | Gaps & Their Causes | Possible Solutions |
| Category A | ||
| Category B | ||
| Category C |
Category A Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category B Programmes
- insert
- insert
Category C Programmes
- insert
- insert
Resource Directory
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
SAMH Youth Reach
Tiong Bahru
Publication by ground-up initiative and Singapore's largest online student and Reddit community SGExams which discusses the impact of Singapore's education system on mental health among students, among other matters. The book is novel for its analysis of website and reddit inputs from the student community.