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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.

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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.

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6 days ago

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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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Health

Singapore to offer Mpox vaccine to high-risk healthcare workers and close contacts

Singapore will offer free mpox vaccines to high-risk healthcare workers and close contacts of confirmed cases, amid concerns over the deadlier clade 1 strain. The Ministry of Health stated mask-wearing is unnecessary for the public, as the virus primarily spreads through close contact.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

4 September 2024

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Singapore has announced new measures to combat the spread of the deadlier mpox clade 1 strain, as concerns mount over its potential impact.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung revealed that the mpox vaccine JYNNEOS will be offered to two key groups: healthcare workers at high risk of exposure and close contacts of confirmed cases.

The announcement comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years due to the resurgence of clade 1 cases in Africa.

Minister Ong emphasized that while there is limited data on the virus, the government has sufficient information to implement precautionary measures. “We do not have full information on the characteristics of this virus, but we have good information on how it behaves,” he said. Ong added that Singapore’s response plan would remain flexible and adapt as the global understanding of the virus evolves.

Response Measures and Border Controls

As part of a whole-of-government approach, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has coordinated a comprehensive public health strategy to prevent the spread of mpox clade 1 in Singapore.

While no direct flights connect Singapore to countries experiencing mpox outbreaks, temperature and visual screening measures have been put in place at Changi and Seletar airports for travellers and crew arriving from affected regions. Screening at sea checkpoints has also been implemented for ships from mpox-affected areas.

Travellers are required to report any mpox-related symptoms (such as fever or rash) and provide travel history via the SG Arrival Card. Those displaying symptoms will be assessed by medical professionals at the borders and referred to hospitals if necessary.

Vaccination Strategy and Quarantine

The JYNNEOS vaccine, previously approved in Singapore for both smallpox and mpox, will be offered to two key groups. Healthcare workers at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and other high-risk facilities will be provided with pre-exposure prophylaxis, in addition to existing infection control protocols. Close contacts of confirmed mpox cases will receive a single vaccine dose within 14 days of exposure during their 21-day quarantine period. The MOH has assured that the current vaccine supply is sufficient to meet the needs of these priority groups.

MOH highlighted that a “significant” portion of the population—those born before 1981—may already have some immunity due to mandatory smallpox vaccinations administered in Singapore until that year.

Detection, Isolation, and Treatment

MOH has instructed all healthcare providers to be vigilant and promptly report any suspected mpox cases, especially those involving clade 1.

Suspected cases will be referred to designated hospitals for further assessment and testing, with paediatric cases directed to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and adult-child family groups to National University Hospital. Confirmed clade 1 cases will be isolated in healthcare facilities until they are no longer infectious to prevent further community spread.

Testing for mpox involves polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory. While there are no rapid point-of-care test kits available, cases are managed through supportive care. For severe cases, antivirals such as Tecovirimat may be used, aligning with treatment protocols in other countries.

Community Measures and Mask-Wearing

Based on current data, the virus spreads mainly through close physical contact, such as within households. Therefore, mask-wearing for the general public is not recommended unless there is significant evidence of respiratory transmission. MOH has stated that if respiratory spread becomes a concern, measures such as mask-wearing on public transport or in crowded indoor spaces may be considered.

In settings such as preschools and schools, existing infectious disease protocols—such as visual screenings for symptoms and hygiene measures—will continue to be implemented to control any potential spread. Additionally, MOH, in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and the National Environment Agency, has begun wastewater testing at migrant worker dormitories and the Onboard Centre to detect any presence of mpox.

Ongoing Surveillance and Preparedness

MOH will continue to work closely with international counterparts to monitor the evolving mpox situation. Border measures, detection protocols, and vaccination strategies will be adjusted as needed to safeguard Singapore’s public health.

As of now, Singapore has not detected any clade 1 cases, with all 14 mpox cases this year involving the less severe clade 2 subtype. However, Minister Ong stressed the importance of vigilance, particularly in protecting vulnerable groups such as children and the immunocompromised, should clade 1 reach Singapore.

“Our best course of action is to suppress the spread, provide proper treatment, and have an effective vaccination strategy in place,” Ong said. Despite the concern surrounding mpox, Ong reassured the public that it is unlikely to cause the level of disruption seen during COVID-19.

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