Singapore’s Mental Health Crisis: A Leading Cause of Disability and Death Among Youth
Singapore faces a growing mental health crisis, with mental disorders emerging as the primary cause of disability and death among young people aged 10 to 14. This alarming trend is highlighted in a recent study published in the Lancet Public Health, which reveals that Singapore bears the heaviest burden of mental distress within the ASEAN region. In 2021, the prevalence of mental disorders reached 12.8% among males and 11.7% among females, translating to 653,000 diagnoses. Anxiety and depression, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, were the most common diagnoses, impacting approximately 185,000 and 144,000 individuals respectively. The study, part of the comprehensive 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, is a collaborative effort between the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
Several factors contribute to the escalating mental health burden in Singapore, particularly among adolescents. The pervasive influence of social media, coupled with immense academic pressure, has been linked to a surge in mental health issues among young people. Additionally, societal shifts, including increasing family breakdowns and social isolation, prevalent in developed societies, further exacerbate the problem. Moreover, as Singapore’s population ages, a significant rise in mental disorders among older adults has been observed. This is often linked to declining physical health and the prevalence of depression among the elderly.
The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified the mental health crisis by fueling feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and isolation across all age groups. Paradoxically, the pandemic also contributed to increased public awareness and reduced stigma surrounding mental health issues, leading more individuals to seek help. The data underscores the early onset of mental health challenges, highlighting the importance of timely intervention to mitigate long-term consequences and prevent years of lost potential.
Beyond mental health, self-harm emerges as a significant concern in Singapore. It accounts for 47% of all injury deaths, with the highest incidence rate found among young adults aged 20 to 24. While incidents of self-harm are more frequent among females, Singapore’s rates remain lower than those observed in neighboring high-income Asian countries like Japan and South Korea. Mental health disorders are considered a major contributing factor to self-harm, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of these health issues. Falls represent the second leading cause of injury-related deaths, accounting for 22%.
Regionally, road injuries, falls, self-harm, drowning, and interpersonal violence contribute to the largest number of injury deaths in ASEAN. Self-harm ranks among the top three leading causes of injury-related mortality in several ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and Vietnam. This highlights a broader regional challenge related to self-harm and underscores the need for comprehensive strategies addressing this issue.
While Singapore boasts the lowest prevalence and mortality rates for cardiovascular diseases within ASEAN, outperforming global and high-income country trends, cardiovascular disease remains a substantial public health concern due to the aging population and rising risk factors. It stands as the second leading cause of death in Singapore, with cases escalating by nearly 200% over the past three decades. In 2021, over 385,000 individuals in Singapore were affected by cardiovascular diseases. Key risk factors include high blood pressure, dietary risks (high sodium, low fiber, low fruit intake), high LDL cholesterol, high fasting plasma glucose, and tobacco use, with obesity identified as the fastest-growing risk factor. Singapore demonstrates relatively low smoking prevalence among males compared to the ASEAN average, though female smoking rates are higher than the regional average.
The findings paint a complex picture of Singapore’s health landscape. While significant progress has been achieved in areas like cardiovascular care and tobacco control, the escalating burden of mental health conditions and injuries, particularly self-harm and falls, demands immediate and sustained attention. Addressing these critical issues requires comprehensive strategies encompassing prevention, early intervention, and accessible mental health services. A focus on promoting mental well-being across the lifespan, reducing stigma, and enhancing support systems is crucial to mitigate the growing mental health crisis and enhance the overall health and well-being of Singapore’s population.