Mental Health: A Growing Crisis

Singapore faces a significant public health challenge with mental disorders emerging as the leading cause of disability and death among young people aged 10 to 14. A recent study published in Lancet Public Health highlights the severity of the issue, noting that the impact of mental distress on the population’s health is the highest in Asean.

• In 2021, the prevalence of mental disorders was estimated at 12.8% among males and 11.7% among females.
• That same year, 653,000 diagnoses of mental disorders were recorded, including a threefold increase in cases among those over 70 since 1990.
• Anxiety and depression, significantly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, were the most prevalent disorders, affecting approximately 185,000 and 144,000 individuals, respectively.

Marie Ng, an associate professor at NUS Medicine and affiliate associate professor at IHME, lead author of the paper, attributes the rise in mental health issues among young people to factors such as social media and high academic pressure. She also points to shifts in the social fabric, including family breakdowns and social isolation, which are becoming more common in developed and Westernized societies.

Mental and physical health are closely connected; with weakening physical health, depression is common among the elderly as Singapore’s population ages.
Marie Ng, Associate Professor at NUS Medicine and Affiliate Associate Professor at IHME

While the pandemic triggered increased feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and isolation across all age groups, improved public awareness and decreasing stigma have led to more people recognizing symptoms and seeking help.

Clinically, mental health challenges frequently enough emerge early in life and, if unaddressed, can lead to years of lost potential.
Professor Alina Rodriguez, Psychological Medicine Department at NUS Medicine

Asean recorded an estimated 80.4 million cases of mental disorders in 2021, a 70% increase since 1990, with anxiety disorders being the most common.

Self-Harm and Injury Trends

Self-harm is a significant concern in Singapore, identified as the leading cause of injury deaths, accounting for 47% of all such fatalities. the highest incidence rate is observed among youth aged 20 to 24, with mental disorders being a major contributing factor. More incidents of self-harm occurred among females than males in 2021, even though Singapore’s incidence rate is lower than that of Japan and south Korea.

Falls are the second-leading cause of injury death, accounting for 22% of all deaths from injury. Regionally, road injuries are the most common cause of injury deaths, followed by falls, self-harm, drowning, and interpersonal violence. Self-harm is among the top three leading causes of injury-related mortality in Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and Vietnam.

Cardiovascular Diseases: A Persistent Threat

Singapore has the lowest prevalence and mortality rates for cardiovascular diseases in the Asean region and has outperformed global and high-income countries in reducing cardiovascular disease mortality. However, with an aging population and rising risk factors, cardiovascular diseases remain a major population health issue. They are the second-leading cause of death in Singapore,with cases increasing by nearly 200% in the last 30 years.

• In 2021, more than 385,000 people in Singapore were affected by cardiovascular diseases.
• The top five risk factors include high blood pressure, dietary risks (high sodium, low fiber, low fruit), high LDL cholesterol, high fasting plasma glucose, and tobacco use.
• Obesity is the fastest-growing risk factor.

Smoking Prevalence: A Mixed Bag

Smoking prevalence among males aged 15 and above in Singapore was 20.2% in 2021, significantly lower than the Asean average of 48.4%.Though,among females,smoking prevalence stood at 6.56%, higher than the regional female average of 4.47%, ranking fourth-highest in the region.

Conclusion: A Call for Action

Singapore has made significant strides in areas like cardiovascular care and tobacco control. However, the growing burden of mental health conditions and injuries, especially self-harm and falls, requires urgent and sustained attention.

the findings present a nuanced picture of Singapore’s health progress.While we’ve made remarkable strides in areas like cardiovascular care and tobacco control,the growing burden of mental health conditions and injuries,particularly self-harm and falls,calls for urgent and sustained attention.
Marie Ng, Associate Professor at NUS Medicine and affiliate Associate Professor at IHME