Mental health issues have become increasingly prevalent in Singapore. According to the Singapore Mental Health Study in 2016, about one in seven Singaporeans experienced at least one mood, anxiety or alcohol use disorder in their lifetime. In 2022, Singapore reported the highest number of suicides in more than 20 years, while a survey from 2020-2022 by the NUS highlighted that one in three adolescents aged 10-18 reported experiencing depression, anxiety or loneliness. Furthermore, a survey by the Ministry of Manpower showed that more resident job seekers and employees experienced discrimination in 2022 due to their mental health condition, compared with the year before.
With the rise in mental health struggles and far-reaching impact of this, it is important to shed light on shaping community outreach and policy initiatives to support mental well-being.
How can community development and mutual aid initiatives be harnessed to promote the mental well-being of citizens in Singapore, and why is it important to consider these as alternatives to the service provision model in the non-profit sector? What key findings have emerged from the Policy Watch and Public Consultation conducted by the community initiative SG Mental Health Matters? In what ways can community initiatives play a role in shaping mental health policymaking?
Join the discussion with experts on our panel at this Asia Thinker Series session, “Mental Health: Shaping Community Outreach & Policy Initiatives”.