New Study Will Review Adult Mental Health in Singapore

According to reports and statistics, mental health in Singapore is declining, among teens, children and adults. To collect more data and discover the causes of this decline, the Institute of Mental Health is launching a study of adult mental health in Singapore. The study is designed to collect information about the mental health status of those aged 18 and up.

The Scope of the Study

Known as the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016, this study will cover about 6,000 people throughout Singapore, drawn from a random pool of 15,500 Singapore citizens. The target age range is 18 years old and upward. Once the individuals are selected for participation, the study leaders will conduct one-on-one, face-to-face interviews in each person’s home. The in-home interviews are designed to place the subject in a private, comfortable environment so that the person will feel more comfortable sharing openly and honestly.

The Aim of the Study

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) intends to accomplish several goals with this study. First of all, they want to identify what stands in the way of adults getting the help they need for their mental health problems. What keeps these troubled individuals from seeking professional treatment and assistance? In addition, the study will explore the impact that major mental disorders have on the society, culture, and economy within Singapore. How prevalent are these disorders? How do they change the function of family units and other societal groups? All these questions are under investigation through this study.

A Comparison with Past Studies

Only one other study of this scope and style has ever been conducted in Singapore. That survey also attempted to ascertain how prevalent certain disorders are among the population. It dealt with disorders such as alcohol use, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder. The findings from that 2010 study will be closely compared with the results of the 2016 study. Those comparisons will give the Singapore health ministry a clear picture of how the mental health landscape has evolved over the years.

The Cost of the Study

The Singapore Mental Health Study actually began back in April of 2015, when the leaders designed the study and began to train the interview staff. The active phase of the study started on October 12, 2016, and will be ongoing until December 2017. The entire effort will cost about $4.9 million. Part of that cost involves a payment to the participants; after each two-hour interview session, every survey respondent will receive $60 in compensation for their time.

The Increase in Mental Health Awareness

Thanks to studies like this one, Singapore is experiencing renewed awareness of mental health issues. If you are struggling with feelings of uncontrollable sadness, anger, frustration, anxiety, or stress, take action now and contact Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic. You don’t have to endure this struggle alone; there are psychiatrists in Singapore who can offer you effective treatments, confidential sessions and ongoing support so that you can regain your mental health and live a happier, more balanced life.