Silver Ribbon (Singapore) - Advocacy - 1st Global Summit for Mental Health Advocates
Introduction Since launched by Former President of Singapore Mr S R Nathan on 4th February 2006, Silver Ribbon (Singapore), a non-profit organisation, has been working closely with its policymakers, government agencies, grassroots organisations, school institutions, religious groups, media, local & overseas mental health organisations, consumers and caregivers, etc, to combat mental health stigma and encourage early help through innovative means. This year, with the support of Lundbeck, Silver Ribbon (Singapore) is pleased to host the 1st Global Summit for Mental Health Advocates to: We are pleased to share that 23 local and 18 overseas speakers from 14 countries such as Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Taiwan, Thailand and United States have accepted our invitation to impart their knowledge and skills at this summit.
Alcohol abuse worse among younger people, Singapore News
SINGAPORE (THE NEW PAPER) - The young man woke up in his bed one morning to find himself surrounded by chocolates. He had blacked out after a night of heavy drinking and had no recollection of how he had got home with his bounty. The young man, who does not even like chocolates, suspected that he might have stolen them and was lucky not to have been caught. Mr Lawrence Tan, a psychologist, related this anecdote to show how excessive drinking can lead to individuals committing a crime without being aware of it. He told The New Paper: "I work with people as young as 17 who have trouble with alcohol, and this can lead to other problematic behaviours." Dr Reina Lim, a consultant at Singapore General Hospital's Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, said people here have shown a growing interest in alcohol as Singapore becomes more prosperous.
OCD one of the most common mental disorders in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of most common mental health conditions here, according to findings from a nationwide study released on Tuesday (Dec 11). The disorder affected one in 28 people in their lifetime, making it the third-most prevalent condition after major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse. The illness is commonly characterised by recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images, and when severe, impedes a person's ability to function. Younger people aged 18 to 34 were more likely to have the condition than those aged 50 and above, said researchers from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), citing the findings from the second Singapore Mental Health Study. The study also found that those who had a monthly household income of between S$2,000 and S$3,999 were less likely to have the condition than those with a household income of less than S$2,000.
Facing depression: Working adults battle not just demons, but also stigma
SINGAPORE: Outwardly, his wife and two young sons are his sources of joy. He seems a regular family man when he's with them. What is less apparent is that Mr Mak Kean Loong struggles to feel emotions like happiness. “In the past few years, I think I’ve never even felt that emotion,” said the bespectacled 38-year-old, who speaks with the numbed air of a tired man. At first, they all thought he was “just becoming extra introverted”.
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.
President's Challenge 2019 to focus on mental health issues, Singapore News
The President's Challenge, an annual community outreach and fund-raising campaign, will centre on helping those with mental health issues next year, while continuing its support for a broad range of social causes, said President Halimah Yacob yesterday. The President's Challenge 2019 will be launched early next year. "I hope that by placing more emphasis on people with mental health issues, we can raise greater awareness of their needs and we can better support them in their journey of recovery and reintegration," said Madam Halimah in her opening address at the first Global Summit for Mental Health Advocates held at The Grassroots Club in Ang Mo Kio. She also encouraged voluntary welfare organisations supporting people with mental health conditions to apply for next year's edition of the Empowering For Life Fund, which helps enable employment for vulnerable groups. The application form for the fund can be downloaded online at pc.org.sg
Coping with depression
Everyone has felt sad at one time or another. Usually it is due to a disappointment, frustration or losing someone. Such sadness is normal. Time heals, the mood lifts and people continue to get on with their lives. But in some people, depression can be so severe that it dominates their lives, preventing them from coping as they are used to. Depression of this degree is an illness and needs treatment.
Many in Singapore unwilling to live or work with people with mental health conditions: Survey, Health News
SINGAPORE - Even as more people are seeking outpatient treatment at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), more than five in 10 respondents of 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), also found that six in 10 people believe that mental health conditions are caused by a lack of self-discipline and willpower. Another key finding from the survey conducted last year - half of the 1,796 respondents believe that persons with mental health conditions should not be given any responsibility. But there were some encouraging notes in the findings, which were released on Saturday (Sept 8).
'I thought I was going crazy': OCD, an often misunderstood mental health condition
SINGAPORE: Ms Alina has a mobile phone, but she does not turn it on. She fears that her private information is being shared. Her first job lasted only months. She did not trust the photocopier she had to use frequently in her administrative role.
