Role modelling where leaders share about their mental health struggles can help to destigmatise mental health and spark ripple effects throughout an organisation and beyond. We would love to host you but we are temporarily closed till further notice. Anthea Ong | Nominated Member of Parliament | Founder, Hush TeaBar. Is it surprising, then, that the same study found that almost one in two Singaporeans were unwilling to work with persons with mental health issues? The remaining 25%, however indicate fair or poor mental health. In May 2018, Anthea and 25 C-suite leaders from DBS, Dow, Accenture, PWC, Johnson & Johnson, etc, co-founded The WorkWell Leaders Workgroup. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the […] When addressing mental health, avoid saying âPeople with depression are like thatâ¦â. However, only 51% have implemented wellness programmes, while 38% indicated no plans to do so. Diagnosis is made through … E-Catalystis a quarterly publication that highlights frontline research issues and provides up-to-date and comprehensive information on NHG and local research for the local research community and beyond. At Hush TeaBarâs weekly team huddle, employees would check-in with one another. Association of Small & Medium Enterprises. Major Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Abuse and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder were found to be the top three most common disorders here. 1 in 7 adults have experienced a mental health condition in their lifetime. Mood and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses. Other than the general “taboo” nature of the subject, Singapore’s conservative and demanding culture has further aggravated the stigmatisation of sufferers of mental illnesses. Therefore, it is clear that a caring, inclusive, innovative and resilient Singapore can only come from caring, inclusive, innovative and resilient workplaces. Written By: Toh Ee Ming Follow. As part of enhanced infection control and safe distancing measures, it is mandatory for all visitors entering our hospital premises to use SafeEntry. Some expressions you are used to may not be interpreted the same way by others. Every employee is a member of society. He notes the number of patients walking in with complaints of gastric reflux or gallbladder infections has tripled over the past few weeks, a spike he says could be due to the stress and anxiety brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak. Continue to work outside of home, and … Flowers and sweet fruits would arrive as a natural consequence of our care, patience, and trust. Background 3 2. We firmly believe in educating the public about mental health. We are here at every step … An Institute of Mental Health (IMH) study published in 2018 showed that one in seven people in Singapore would experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. For instance, a joke about someone âescaping from IMHâ may seem harmless because it is said without ill intention. Besides the WorkWell Leaders Workgroup, she also co-created A Good Space, a community of community builders addressing diverse social issues through service and mutual aid. Nonetheless, they continue to make the effort to maintain this employee-led initiative of holding a safe space for one another. Commemorating 50 Years of Child Mental Health Services. Speaking yesterday at the World Health Organisation's virtual event, The Big Event for Mental Health, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said it was an example of how Singapore … Singapore News - With lines between the workplace and home getting blurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, employers have been advised to address the mental health … This ground-up initiative promotes workplace mental health as a leadership priority where they share and co-create inclusive practices and programmes. Singapore Bureaucrat Reflects on Mental Health in Covid Era ... opened up about his mental health struggle during the pandemic at a technology conference held virtually on Sunday. Please click on or scan the QR code to check in using SafeEntry when entering IMH premises. Nevertheless, four in 10 expressed views like, âLack of discipline and willpower is one of the main causes of mental health issuesâ, or âPersons with mental health issues should not be given responsibility.â For example: Risk Factors 6 2.1 Health Status 6 2.2 Physical Activity 8 2.3 Social Support 9 2.4 Economic Well-being 11 3. About one in seven Singaporeans have experienced a mood or anxiety disorder at some point of their lives. Anthea Ong is a Social Entrepreneur, Life Coach and Author of 50 Shades of Love. The study employed the same methodology as the first survey initiated in 2010. Here are mental health service providers in Singapore to help you find resources and support. Singapore News - The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the academic routines and social activities of many children and young people, and has had a negative impact on their mental health. Ganesh Ramalingam is a Singapore general surgeon who has urged the state and individuals not to disregard the pandemic’s impact on mental health. Singapore Association for Mental Health - Bukit Gombak Group Homes The programme provides opportunities for persons in recovery with well-managed psychiatric conditions to experience community living. Shirin Tang, Managing Partner for Singapore, shares her insights with COV-AID regarding COVID-19's impact on Mental Health in the workplace and how Morrison & Foerster has supported the mental wellbeing of its employees during the pandemic. Egal ob Sie schon seit Langem in der Stadt wohnen, neu zugezogen sind oder nur auf der Durchreise sind – auf Eventbrite finden Sie … Instead, try saying, âIn my experience Iâve felt that...â. Those who are not fairing so well generally exist across the population regardless of their work situation. • Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 • Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 • Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6385-3714 • Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 Be Mindful of Your Expression: Avoid sexist/homophobic/ racist/ableist expressions. These are gross misconceptions. The most common mental illnesses in Singapore are Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Alcohol Abuse and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), with a rate of 1 in 16 people affected by MDD, 1 in 28 … Make a difference in the lives of our patients. May 8, 2020. Jillian Too Loh Xin Sheng Veronica Lim 22 May 2020 1 . Caregiver Support Services . The latest SMHS study found that about 14% of Singaporeans have experienced a mood, anxiety or alcohol-use disorder in their lifetime. The following are some mental health helplines, Singapore, that you can approach for free counselling sessions. She openly discusses her personal experiences on the added stresses of working from home and what can be done to protect the mental health of … Singapore Anglican Community Services 23. According to the Singapore Mental Health Study 2010, the lifetime prevalence of mental illness in the Singapore resident population is 12%, which is about 1 in 8 people having a mental disorder. Singapore Schools to offer mental health lessons from 2021; more trips to Asian countries. Hush TeaBar was founded out of Antheaâs own brush with depression when her world collapsed 13 years ago. A 2017 Public Attitudes Survey by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) found that one in two people admitted to having little knowledge of mental health conditions. Particularly, research shows that 86.5% of employed people do not seek help for mental health in … In the meantime, stay healthy and safe. 1 ) Private GPs/ Family doctors. Organisations could start with removing the requirement to disclose personal mental health history in job applications. Kelly Ng Follow. The following are learnings that have guided Hush TeaBar in cultivating a safe space for employees. Our beneficiaries include youths, adults and seniors. Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) has been uplifting lives in Singapore's mental health community since 1968. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Child Guidance Clinic, which began in 1970 to better understand, manage and prevent mental health issues in Singapore’s youth. Mental Health Issues Facing the Average Singaporean. If you are looking for mental health service providers in other countries, click here. We have also adopted a stringent visitor policy to protect our vulnerable patients. 7 places to get mental health support in Singapore. Chng Kai Fong, managing director of the island’s Economic Development Board and a former top aide to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, opened up about his mental health struggle during the pandemic at a technology conference held virtually. This is in line with our government’s efforts to minimise further spread of COVID-19. The submitted information will only be used for the purpose of contact tracing. unable to sleep, eating less, not enjoying activities you used to enjoy). Mental Health of Elderly in Singapore: What can be done during times of uncertainty to improve the mental health of elderly in Singapore? Practice Self-Focus: Attend to your own experiences. As part of heightened infection control procedures, it is compulsory for all visitors entering our hospital premises to go through screening and SafeEntry check-in. What can be done to destigmatise mental health in Singapore? According to a study, 7 out of 10 employers recognised the impact of mental health on productivity. Dr. Edwin Ng has published scholarly and media commentaries about the ethical, social and transformative aspects of mindfulness practice. Research shows that 86.5% of employed people do not seek help for mental health in Singapore because of the stigma around it. Copyright @ 2020. A caring, inclusive, innovative and resilient Singapore can only come from caring, inclusive, innovative and resilient workplaces. This article summarises the development of mental health legislation in Singapore in three distinctive periods: pre-1965; 1965-2007 and 2007 onwards. A very interesting article from Singapore about how the Prime Minister and the other leadership of the country is forming a task force to identify and implement strategies regarding the mental health needs of the country during COVID-19. Admittedly, in the eagerness to âget down to businessâ, they sometimes forget to pause. Hush TeaBar, for example, has partnered with Shan You Counselling to provide counselling for employees. We celebrate this milestone with two unique projects that showcase the people and policies driving the development of child mental health services in Singapore. 1 in 7 Singaporeans will develop a mental health condition over their lifetime The 2016 Singapore Mental Health Study found that 1 in 7 Singaporeans (13.9%) experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime, an increase from 1 in 8 (12%) in 2010. Singapore Association for Mental Health 22. Hush TeaBar is Singaporeâs first silent tea bar, a social movement bringing experiential sessions led by the deaf on self-care, resilience and inclusion to workplaces and schools. Her candidness with her experience has inspired passionate people living with mental health conditions to volunteer or work at Hush TeaBar. We will open our doors again when the situation improves. Particularly, research shows that 86.5% of employed people do not seek help for mental health in Singapore because of the stigma around it. By attending to safe spaces, workplaces can flourish like bountiful gardens. Aims: The second Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) - a nationwide, cross-sectional, epidemiological survey - was initiated in 2016 with the intent of tracking the state of mental health of the general population in Singapore. These are great options for those who are not comfortable with actual, in-person sessions and would prefer to talk over the phone or get online counselling. Do not make assumptions about the experience of others. St Luke’s Hospital 24. See you soon! Table of Content 1. Understand the Difference between Intent and Impact: Try to understand and acknowledge impact. Care Corner Counselling Centre. Tell your GP how you are feeling and what symptoms you are experiencing (e.g. Sie planen Ihre Freizeit in Singapur? However, a colleague who could be seeking treatment at IMH may be impacted by this comment, feeling shameful about their treatment. He has run workshops in Australia, the US and Germany. Counselling or coaching and mental health workshops could be part of employee-assistance programmes. TOUCH Community Services We thank our following sponsors and venue provider: Tote Board Lee Foundation Swenson's Johnson & Johnson ISS World Redclick Media Singapore Botanic Gardens (venue provider) Employers can refrain from sending work-related messages to their employees after work hours on weekdays and all-day on weekends. Besides the deaf, Hush TeaBar intentionally employs people with a history of mental health issues. As Singapore enters its 5th week of "circuit breaker" mode, the migrant workers quarantined in the city-state's dormitories are suffering under the psychological toll of isolation in squalid conditions and the ever-looming threat of contracting the virus . Copyright © 2012 Institute of Mental Health. They also explore activities together, like crafting or flower arrangement. There are multiple âinnerâ and âouterâ factors influencing mental health. Safe spaces are built on consent and trust, and ground rules help to set boundaries and reminders. However, only 51% have implemented wellness programmes, while 38% indicated no plans to do so. In Singapore, besides Institute of Mental Health, you can also get support from public hospitals such as Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital as they have a psychology department that can dispense drugs and offer psychotherapy. Being mindful of the words one expresses helps to minimise harmful effects. We should be following their lead in the United States. Recognising the difference between intent and impact encourages accountability and considerate behaviour. As migrant mental health suffers in Singapore dorms, aid groups rally. The websites on this page are not affiliated with Psychreg, but are in line with our mission and goals. It cannot be reduced to âchoiceâ or âattitudeâ. An Institute of Mental Health (IMH) study published in 2018 showed that one in seven people in Singapore would experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. With many hidden illnesses, the public’s understanding on mental health issues is often shrouded with misinformation. Creating a safe space is like tending a garden. The most common mental illnesses in Singapore are Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Alcohol Abuse and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), with a rate of 1 in 16 people affected by MDD, 1 in 28 affected by OCD and 1 in 24 affected by Alcohol Abuse. Hush TeaBar practices flexible work arrangements to accommodate different needs. Policy change is a necessary first step. Edwin left academia for his own healing, with new learnings and learners. It equips these individuals with independent living skills through rehabilitation services. This article originally appeared in the Entrepreneur's Digest print edition #89 and has been edited for clarity, brevity and for the relevance of this website. Privacy Statement | Terms of use, https://www.imh.com.sg/uploadedFiles/Newsroom/News_Releases/SMHS%202016_Media%20Release_FINAL_web%20upload.pdf, https://www.ncss.gov.sg/Press-Room/Publications/Detail-Page?id=Mental-Health-Toolkit-for-Employers, https://www.hcamag.com/asia/news/general/do-you-have-an-employee-mental-health-strategy/150178. But what do Singaporeans really think about the people affected by it? We celebrate this milestone with two unique projects that showcase the people and policies driving the development of child mental health services in Singapore. SafeEntry is a national digital check-in system that logs the information of individuals entering and exiting IMH. We will monitor the evolving COVID-19 situation in Phase 2 of Singapore’s reopening and make adjustments to our visitor policy as appropriate. Denying the impact of something said by focusing on intent is often more destructive than the initial interaction. All Rights Reserved. How should a safe space for workplace mental wellness be nurtured? Naturally, the least affected are those whose work situations have had little change (ie. As a Nominated Member of Parliament, Hush TeaBarâs founder, Anthea Ong, has called for mental wellbeing to be a âwhole-of-government priorityâ. These include having training managers create open communication channels, where employees may share their mental health concerns and receive peer support training. Answers to frequently-asked questions about our policies. To promote a culture of mental wellness, employees should not be asked about their history or made to fear that they may be âfound outâ. According to a study by HR consulting group, Aon Hewitt, seven out of 10 employers recognised the impact of mental health on productivity. It is encouraging to see that overall, 3 in 4 Singaporeans rate their mental health as good, very good or excellent. They set aside time for silence, doing qigong or breathing exercises. Mental Health Organisations Singapore: Counselling Helplines. All Rights Reserved, Join us on a visit to learn about mental health services in Singapore, NextStep (Special Issue on Mental Wellness), Building Back Better: Case Studies In Resilience Building, Whistle Blowing for Suppliers & Contractors. Use âIâ language when addressing conflict. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Child Guidance Clinic, which began in 1970 to better understand, manage and prevent mental health issues in Singapore’s youth. Employees also hold each other accountable with a set of shared agreements led by Dr Edwin Ng, Hushâs Lead Partner. 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