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IMH study reveals stigma surrounding mental illness, Health News

SINGAPORE - Nine in 10 people believe that those with a mental illness "could get better if they wanted to", a new study by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has found. Half of those surveyed said that such problems are "a sign of personal weakness", while six in 10 also said that such people are "unpredictable". Researchers said that such stigmatising attitudes may lead people to avoid seeing a doctor and getting diagnosed for fear of being labelled as mentally ill. The fact, however, is that problems such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and even alcohol abuse often have a biological basis, and can be treated by a health professional. IMH embarked on the $1 million study a year ago to find out how much Singaporeans know about mental illness. In addition to how they viewed those with such disorders, respondents were also asked if they could identify one of five common mental illnesses. These are depression, OCD, alcohol abuse, schizophrenia, and dementia.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/imh-study-reveals-stigma-surrounding-mental-illness

Singaporeans Confront Mental Health Stigma In Poignant Experiment Some people say love doesn’t discriminate. Well, neither does mental health illness. A bunch of Singaporeans learnt this lesson in more ways than you’d expect in a meaningful experiment by Beyond The Label SG. The viral video has garnered 1.6k shares in just one day, and you’re reminded to keep your tissue box close if you plan on viewing it. 1 in 8 adults have mental health issues Although “1 in 8 adults experienced mental health issues”, no one really talks about it in Singapore. President Halimah encourages youth to not be afraid to discuss mental health issues, Singapore News SINGAPORE - Once a week, Ms Jaymie Wong, 17, volunteers at a centre in Woodlands where she helps run drama activities for fellow youth. On Monday (Feb 25), the applied drama and psychology student at Singapore Polytechnic was joined by two of her course mates for a special forum theatre performance at the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH)'s Creative SAY! centre. In the audience was President Halimah Yacob, who visited the preventive and wellness centre in Woodlands to show support and to raise awareness for mental health, which is a focus of this year's President's Challenge. The centre, whose initials stand for Sports, Arts and Youths, offers sports, outdoor and art activities to help spark conversations, promote mental well-being, and prevent the onset of mental health issues among young people. Its programmes, which are open to all youth between the ages of 12 and 35, include art workshops, dance classes, floorball, badminton, and sailing.

Depression: Symptoms and Treatment Depression: how is it treated or prevented? Dr Chan Herng Nieng, Senior Consultant​, at the Department of Psychiatry at Singapore General Hospital explains. If you’re going through a period of unhappiness and feeling depressed, does that necessarily mean that you’re suffering from depression? What are the key symptoms of depression, also known as major depressive disorder, and what are the treatment options? Dr Chan Herng Nieng, Senior Consultant, Department of Psychiatry, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group, answers these questions and discusses treatment and prevention methods. Study: S'poreans think mental illness is sign of personal weakness, Latest Singapore News She struggled with schizophrenia in 2008. Miss Chan Lishan, 32, was not aware of her mental disorder then - not even when she trespassed into the Orange Valley Nursing Home in Thomson and was arrested. She went there believing that it was a convent and becoming a nun was the key to her survival. The former philosophy research scholar at the National University of Singapore told The New Paper: "I believe that if my family, my friends and I had been more aware of schizophrenia, then I would have got early treatment. "Unless you know of, lived with or worked with someone with mental illness, you wouldn't be able to feel empathy and understand that it is not a weakness but a medical issue." After pleas from family and friends, she finally agreed to see a psychiatrist who convinced her she had a problem and needed medication.

Mental Health & Stigma There are still attitudes within most societies that view symptoms of psychopathology as threatening and uncomfortable, and these attitudes frequently foster stigma and discrimination towards people with mental health problems. Such reactions are common when people are brave enough to admit they have a mental health problem, and they can often lead on to various forms of exclusion or discrimination – either within social circles or within the workplace. What is mental health stigma?: Mental health stigma can be divided into two distinct types: social stigma is characterized by prejudicial attitudes and discriminating behaviour directed towards individuals with mental health problems as a result of the psychiatric label they have been given. article continues after advertisement

Psychology Service - kkh.com.sg Our Psychology Service offers comprehensive assessments and personalised therapy to meet the unique psychosocial, emotional, behavioural and cognitive needs for women, adolescents and children at each stage of their lives. In keeping with our holistic approach to patient care, our psychologists also serve on the hospital’s multidisciplinary team to help patients with their psychological concerns. Our Range of Services 6 common mental disorders affecting Singaporeans today and where you can go to get help, Business Insider - Business Insider Singapore Pexels There’s been an increase in the number of Singapore adults who have suffered from a mental disorder in their lifetimes, the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) said recently. According to a 2016 study, one in seven people in Singapore have experienced specific mood, anxiety, or alcohol use disorders in their lifetime, up from roughly one in eight six years prior. Read also: 1 in 7 people in Singapore have experienced a mental disorder – and some millennials are more susceptible to mood and alcohol-related ones Part of the study’s findings is the alarming revelation that most of these sufferers (more than three-quarters) have never sought any professional help for their illnesses.

‘Crazy, weird, scary’: Survey unveils negative labels youths associate with mental illness SINGAPORE — Researchers have called for regular and compulsory education on mental health for youths, in the wake of a study that found a large proportion of this group having misconceptions of mental illness. Almost half (44.5 per cent) of 940 teenage students polled attached negative and pejorative labels to people with mental illness. “Crazy”, “weird”, “scary”, “stupid” and “dangerous” were among the words that came to mind then the respondents heard the term “mental illness”, reported the study, which was presented at the Frontiers in Mental Health symposium organised by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and Nanyang Technological University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine on Tuesday (March 6).

Eating disorders rising among the young, Singapore News Most people in Singapore enjoy their food but for a growing number of people afflicted with an eating disorder, some as young as nine, eating has become the bane of their lives. The Singapore General Hospital (SGH) Eating Disorders Programme, the national centre for treating such illnesses, saw 170 new patients last year. This was quadruple the 40 patients when the programme started in 2003 and about 42 per cent more than the 120 new patients in 2010. Up to three in four patients are under 21. Dr Alakananda Gudi, an associate consultant psychiatrist at SGH, said: "Our clinics are booked up all the time but I feel we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg." Over at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), the number of children and teenagers - from as young as nine or 10 years old - with an eating disorder has increased by an average of 10 per cent a year since 2008 when such patients were treated there.

1 in 7 people in Singapore have experienced a mental disorder – and some millennials are more susceptible to mood and alcohol-related ones, Business Insider - Business Insider Singapore Around one in seven people in Singapore have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. Singapore Press Holdings A study has found that more people in Singapore have experienced mental disorders at some point in their lives. 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). The findings highlight the misconceptions and stigma suffered by persons with mental health conditions, said NCSS deputy chief executive officer Tina Hung.

More people in Singapore have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime, study finds SINGAPORE — One in seven people in Singapore have experienced a mental disorder such as bipolar disorder or alcohol abuse in their lifetime, an increase from roughly one in eight several years ago. The top three mental disorders here were major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse and obsessive compulsive disorder. This is based on the finding of the second Singapore Mental Health Study, which started in 2016 and involved interviews with 6,126 Singaporeans and permanent residents. Read also Gen Y Speaks: What caring for my mum taught me about mental illness The lifetime prevalence of 13.9 per cent in 2016 marked an increase from 12 per cent in 2010, when the first study was conducted.

Many still steer clear of people with mental illness: Poll, Singapore News Even as more people are seeking outpatient treatment at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), more than five in 10 respondents in 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), found that most people agree that more needs to be done to reduce societal stigma, yet they are also reluctant to accept them on an individual level. In the survey of 1,796 people conducted last year, six in 10 people said they believe that mental health conditions are caused by a lack of self-discipline and willpower, while half believe that persons with mental health conditions should not be given any responsibility. But seven in 10 respondents acknowledged that persons with mental health conditions experience stigma and discrimination in their daily lives, and eight in 10 said they believe the best therapy is for them to be included in society.

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