Mental health issues: Greater awareness, less stigma today

Nearly six in 10 polled can spot common conditions like dementia and depression

- Lee Li Ying

Awareness of mental health conditions has grown among Singaporeans, with nearly six in 10 surveyed now able to recognise common conditions, while stigma around these issues has also decreased.

The common conditions include dementia, depression and schizophrenia, according to an Institute of Mental Health (IMH) study released on Nov 19.

Given that lack of awareness and fear of judgment are key barriers preventing those with mental health conditions from seeking help, researchers say they are heartened by the results, which point to a more inclusive Singapore.

The study was announced by Minister of State for Social and Family Development Sun Xueling at a mental health conference held at One Farrer Hotel.

The Mind Matters study, first conducted between 2014 and 2015, was done again between 2022 and 2024.

Its aim was to examine public knowledge and awareness of common mental health conditions, as well as the perceptions and stigma associated with them.

In the latest study, 58.9 per cent of respondents were able to recognise five common mental health conditions - dementia, depression, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

This is a significant jump compared with 42.3 per cent in the first survey.

Two new conditions, gambling disorder and depression with suicidality, were included in the latest edition of the study.

Taking these two conditions into account, 63.3 per cent of respondents were able to recognise the seven mental health conditions.

Professor Chong Siow Ann, principal investigator of the study, said: "Our first Mind Matters study provided us with baseline information on our population's knowledge and attitudes towards common mental health conditions.