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PM Lee goes on walkabout in Ang Mo Kio, distributes bottles of hand sanitiser to patrons at Teck Ghee Court Food Centre

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5 years ago

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Leaders, members and volunteers of various political parties in Singapore have been walking the ground amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, following the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC)’s report on 13 Mar.

The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) has not exempted itself from holding walkabouts as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has reportedly been meeting residents in his constituency Ang Mo Kio GRC on Sun (22 Mar).

Flanked by several members or volunteers, Mr Lee — in a video forwarded to TOC on Mon (23 Mar) — can be seen in the video handing out what appeared to be small bottles of hand sanitiser to patrons at the Teck Ghee Market and Food Centre.

Just last week, Minister of National Development Lawrence Wong, co-chairman of the task force on COVID-19, announced that the Government will step up its efforts to enforce stricter social distancing measures, in the wake of 40 new cases recorded by the Ministry of Health on Fri (20 Mar).

Mr Wong told a press conference last Fri that one of the enhanced measures entails ensuring that operators of venues in public places adopt the separation of at least one metre between customers.

MOH recommended the following steps:

  • Queues on premises such as outside restaurants and retail stores should be kept fast-moving, which could be done by ensuring that all checkout counters are open, and encouraging self-checkout to minimise contact with counter staff. Lines should clearly be marked to help people follow the appropriate distancing;
  • Food and beverage venues should maintain a distance of at least one metre between tables, and between seats. Where seats are fixed, including our hawker centres, operators should ensure alternate seats are marked out. Individuals and family members who wish to seat together should continue to do so, but there should be a safe distance maintained between different groups; and
  • Entertainment venues and attractions such as cinemas/theatres, theme parks, casinos, museums and galleries should adopt measures appropriate to their venue to ensure separation of at least a metre amongst patrons. This could include reducing operating capacity to provide more spacing, installing floor markers at queuing areas, and adopting chequerboard or alternate seating.

The Government, said Mr Wong, has been working with all F&B outlets to ensure that these measures are enforced.

“Whether it is a hawker centre, coffee shop or restaurant, there will be a safe distance between diners. And through licensing, we will enforce this,” he said.

Mr Wong stressed the importance of Singaporeans cooperating with the enhanced social distancing measures.

“We will be enforcing these rules. It will lead to some inconvenience, but we will need Singaporeans to cooperate and take responsibility for these changes.

“If we are all disciplined about this, it will give us better control over the situation, and enable us to suppress and slow down the spread of the virus,” he said.

Individuals in the video, however, were seen standing and sitting in close proximity to one another as a handful of people in the crowd waited to greet the PM up-close.

Even Mr Lee himself in a Facebook post today reminded the public to “take the necessary precautions and remember to be socially responsible”.

“We are getting used to temperature checks, contact tracing forms, safe distancing rules, and frequent reminders to wash our hands. As long as we take the necessary precautions and remember to be socially responsible, we can get through this season together,” he said.

Seeing the size of the crowd at Teck Ghee Market during Mr Lee’s walkabout on Sun, however, begs a pertinent question: “What happened to social distancing?”

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Survey reveals one-third of Singaporean youth struggle with severe mental health issues

A national study by the Institute of Mental Health reveals that 30.6% of Singaporean youth suffer from severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress, driven by factors like excessive social media use, body image concerns, and cyberbullying. The findings emphasize the need for early intervention and targeted mental health strategies.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

23 September 2024

By

A significant portion of Singapore’s youth are experiencing severe mental health challenges, according to a comprehensive national survey conducted by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).

The National Youth Mental Health Study (NYMHS), released on 19 September 2023, found that 30.6% of individuals aged 15 to 35 reported severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress, with key risk factors including excessive social media use, body shape concerns, and experiences of cyberbullying.

The study, which surveyed 2,600 Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, highlights the growing mental health concerns among Singaporean youth and suggests the need for more targeted interventions and support systems.

Mental Health Issues Prevalent Among Youth

Anxiety was the most common mental health issue, with 27% of respondents reporting severe or extremely severe symptoms, followed by depression (14.9%) and stress (12.9%).

These findings underscore the high prevalence of mental health issues among young people, particularly in those aged 15 to 24, who were more likely to report severe symptoms compared to older participants.

According to the IMH, young people who were female, single, unemployed, or had lower levels of education or household income were more prone to severe mental health symptoms.

For example, youth with monthly household incomes below S$5,000 were more likely to experience severe anxiety​.

Key Risk Factors: Social Media, Body Image, and Cyberbullying

The study identified three major factors linked to severe mental health symptoms:

  1. Excessive Social Media Use: Around 27% of respondents reported using social media for more than three hours daily, which was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of severe mental health issues. Youth with excessive social media use were 1.5 to 1.6 times more likely to experience severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress​.
  2. Body Shape Concerns: About 20.2% of youth had moderate to severe concerns about their body image. These individuals were 4.9 times more likely to experience severe depression, 4.3 times more likely to experience severe anxiety, and 4.5 times more likely to suffer from severe stress​. Such concerns were often linked to social media exposure, which can perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards and increase dissatisfaction with one’s body.
  3. Cyberbullying: One in five youth (21%) reported being victims of cyberbullying. These individuals were approximately twice as likely to report severe mental health symptoms compared to those who had not experienced such harassment​. The anonymity and pervasive nature of online bullying exacerbates the mental health toll on young people, according to the study.

Demographics at Higher Risk

The study found that specific demographics were more vulnerable to mental health issues. Young people aged 15 to 24 were more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and stress, particularly females, those who were single, and those with lower levels of education, such as junior college or vocational qualifications​.

The Malay ethnic group was also found to have a higher prevalence of severe mental health symptoms compared to other ethnic groups​.

Barriers to Seeking Help and Sources of Support

Although about 69.1% of those with severe mental health symptoms sought help—primarily from family and friends—a significant portion of young people hesitated to seek professional support.

The top reasons included concerns about privacy, fear of judgment, and doubts about the effectiveness of professional services​.

Among those who sought help, family and friends were the most common sources of support (57.9%), followed by self-help measures (31.1%) and medical services (20.1%)​.

However, the reluctance to seek professional help highlights the need for continued efforts to destigmatize mental health treatment and increase awareness of available services.

Protective Factors: Resilience, Social Support, and Self-Esteem

The study also identified factors that helped mitigate mental health challenges. Youth who reported higher levels of resilience, perceived social support, and self-esteem were significantly less likely to experience severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress.

This suggests that fostering strong support networks and building resilience in youth could play a critical role in improving their mental well-being​.

Government Response and Preventive Measures

The findings of the NYMHS support Singapore’s broader National Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, launched in October 2023, which adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to addressing mental health concerns. Schools have already begun integrating mental health education into their curricula, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to manage their well-being.

Additionally, the government introduced the Parenting for Wellness toolbox in September 2023 to help parents manage their children’s screen time and promote healthy social media usage.

A guide on responsible social media use, expected to be released by mid-2025, will offer further strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of excessive screen time and online harassment​.

Future Implications and Policy Development

Associate Professor Swapna Verma, chairman of IMH’s medical board and co-principal investigator of the study, emphasized the importance of early intervention.

“Not all individuals with severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression or anxiety have a clinical condition, but being in such states for a prolonged period of time can be detrimental to their well-being,” she said​.

The study’s data will help policymakers and healthcare providers develop more targeted approaches to address the mental health needs of Singapore’s youth, especially those most at risk.

Associate Professor Mythily Subramaniam, IMH’s assistant chairman of medical board (research), stressed the need to pay attention to issues like excessive social media use and cyberbullying, noting their “tremendous impact on youth mental health” and the importance of preventive measures​.

Support for Youth Facing Mental Health Challenges

Young people dealing with mental health challenges in Singapore have access to various resources:

  • CHAT (Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health): CHAT offers a safe and confidential space for youth to seek help through online and face-to-face mental health assessments and support.
  • Institute of Mental Health (IMH): IMH provides a comprehensive range of mental health services, including outpatient consultations and inpatient care. Youth in crisis can also seek immediate assistance from the 24-hour Mental Health Helpline at 6389 2222.
  • Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): SOS offers emotional support for those feeling distressed or experiencing suicidal thoughts. Their 24-hour hotline is 1767.
  • Health Promotion Board’s National Care Hotline: This hotline provides immediate emotional support for those in need and can be reached at 1800-202-6868.
  • Counselling Services: School-based counsellors, as well as community-based services such as TOUCH Youth, provide further avenues of support for young people grappling with mental health issues.
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Health

Malaysia reports new mpox case in man without recent international travel

Malaysia has confirmed its first mpox case of 2024 in a male patient, the Health Ministry reported. The patient is in isolation and stable, with authorities monitoring his contacts. This brings the total confirmed cases since July 2023 to ten, all from clade II.

Published

4 weeks ago

on

17 September 2024

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MALAYSIA: The Malaysian Health Ministry confirmed a new case of monkeypox (mpox) in a male citizen, marking the country’s first confirmed case of 2024.

The patient, who began showing symptoms on 11 September, is currently in isolation and in stable condition.

The ministry, in a statement issued Tuesday (17 September), revealed that the patient first experienced fever, sore throat, and cough, followed by the appearance of rashes on 12 September.

He has no recent history of international travel within the past 21 days, and authorities are in the process of identifying and monitoring his close contacts, following strict standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“Out of the 58 suspected mpox cases referred to the ministry this year, one case has been confirmed positive for mpox clade II as of 16 September,” the ministry stated.

“All 10 cases reported in Malaysia since July 2023 have been from clade II.”

The Health Ministry had earlier reported that Malaysia recorded a total of nine mpox cases since the first detection on 26 July 2023, with the most recent case reported in November 2023.

All previous cases had links to high-risk activities, but no deaths were reported.

Global Context and National Preparedness

Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time on 14 August this year, due to the rapid spread of the clade Ib variant, particularly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring African nations.

In response, Malaysia’s Health Ministry activated its national crisis response centre on 16 August to enhance readiness and coordinate preventive measures.

The ministry advised the public to take precautions, including maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding direct contact with individuals suspected or confirmed to be infected with mpox.

High-risk individuals experiencing symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes are urged to seek immediate medical attention.

Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPVX) and spreads through close contact with symptomatic individuals.

The incubation period is typically between 5 and 21 days, and patients remain contagious until all lesions have dried up and fallen off.

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