A recent study by the Singapore Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has revealed notable progress in mental health literacy across the nation. According to the findings, recognition of common mental health conditions among Singapore residents has increased from 42.3% in 2014 to 58.9% in 2024.
Released on November 19, 2024, the second edition of Mind Matters: A Study of Mental Health Literacy highlights not only improved awareness but also a significant reduction in stigma surrounding mental health issues. The study, conducted between September 2022 and February 2024, surveyed 4,195 Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents aged 18 to 67.
Researchers utilized vignettes to assess participants’ recognition of various mental health conditions, as well as their attitudes and beliefs regarding appropriate sources of help.
Key Findings: Progress and Persistent Gaps
Overall, participants demonstrated a 63.3% recognition rate for the seven mental health conditions assessed in the study. Conditions such as Dementia, Gambling Disorder, and Depression with Suicidality were identified most frequently, with recognition rates of 83.0%, 77.1%, and 72.1%, respectively.
However, conditions like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Schizophrenia remained among the least recognized, despite some improvement in awareness since the first survey.
Reduced Stigma Across Dimensions
The study assessed stigma across three key dimensions:
Weak-not-sick perception: This refers to the tendency to view mental health conditions as personal weaknesses. Gambling Disorder and Alcohol Abuse received the highest scores for being perceived as weaknesses (mean scores of 10.5 and 10.1, respectively), while Dementia was seen as less of a personal failing (mean score of 8.2).
Dangerousness or unpredictability: Alcohol Abuse, Gambling Disorder, and Schizophrenia were perceived as the most dangerous or unpredictable, with mean scores of 13.0 and 12.2. OCD, however, scored the lowest in this regard at 9.4.
Social distancing: Participants expressed the strongest desire for social distance from individuals with Schizophrenia, Alcohol Abuse, and Gambling Disorder, with mean scores of 13.1 and 12.6. Conditions like Depression and OCD were associated with less desire for social separation.
Demographic Disparities in Mental Health Recognition
Recognition of mental health conditions varied widely across demographic groups:
Age: Younger participants (18–34 years) were more likely to identify conditions like Schizophrenia and Dementia compared to older age groups.
Gender: Women showed higher recognition of OCD but were less likely to identify Gambling Disorder.
Ethnicity: Malay participants demonstrated greater recognition of OCD, while Indian participants had lower awareness of Dementia and Depression with Suicidality.
Education and Income: Those with higher education levels and incomes were more likely to recognize mental health conditions, while those with lower education and incomes showed less awareness.
Professor Chong Siow Ann, the study’s principal investigator, emphasized the importance of these findings, noting, “Improved mental health literacy helps foster a culture where seeking help is viewed as a strength. Addressing gaps in recognition is crucial to reducing stigma and improving access to care.”
Attitudes Toward Help-Seeking and Recovery
Medical professionals were the most commonly recommended source of help, with 54.1% of respondents suggesting them. Informal sources like family and friends followed closely, with 37.1% of recommendations. Interestingly, the preference for community and social care services rose from 5.2% in 2014 to 8.9% in 2024, signaling growing awareness of alternative support options.
Conditions such as Dementia, OCD, and Schizophrenia were most frequently associated with medical professionals (85.7%, 72.2%, and 63.1%, respectively), while conditions like Depression, Depression with Suicidality, and Gambling Disorder were more often linked to informal support networks.
Regarding recovery, most respondents believed individuals with conditions such as Depression, OCD, and Alcohol Abuse could fully recover, albeit with a risk of relapse. In contrast, Dementia was perceived as leading to partial recovery due to its degenerative nature.
Implications for Mental Health Advocacy
The findings underscore the success of Singapore’s mental health campaigns over the past decade, particularly public education initiatives and anti-stigma efforts. Dr. Tan Weng Mooi, Director of Integrated Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health (MOH) Office for Healthcare Transformation, stressed the importance of fostering open dialogue, especially within families, to ensure youth receive the support they need.
Ms. Porsche Poh, Executive Director of Silver Ribbon (Singapore), emphasized that understanding demographic variations will help tailor outreach strategies to target groups with lower recognition rates.
Continuing Challenges
Despite the progress made, challenges remain, particularly with vulnerable groups such as older individuals and those with lower education or income levels. Associate Professor Mythily Subramaniam, a co-investigator of the study, expressed optimism but stressed the need for ongoing education and outreach to bridge these gaps.
The Mind Matters study, funded by the National Medical Research Council and Tote Board, with contributions from Silver Ribbon (Singapore), the MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation, and the University of Leipzig, will play a pivotal role in guiding future mental health advocacy and support efforts in Singapore.
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