The Covid-19 outbreak has severely impacted us in many ways, from restricting our abilities and freedom to travel, to changing our work and home routines as we’re forced indoors to help flatten the curve. It’s also affected us emotionally and mentally, as news reports say that mental health hotlines have seen a spike in the number of calls.
Whether it’s newfound anxiety and depression about getting retrenched or receiving a pay cut, or existing mental illness triggered by the stressful circumstances, it’s important to get help if you or someone you know is facing serious emotional troubles.
Major depression affects one in 16 people in Singapore.
According to the Singapore Mental Health Study 2018
According to the second Singapore Mental Health Study (published Dec 2018), one in seven people in Singapore have experienced a mood, anxiety or alcohol-use disorder. And of the conditions assessed, major depressive disorder (or major depression) was the most common, affecting one in 16 people here.
The study also found a significant treatment gap, in that many of those struggling did not seek professional help. It did not investigate the reasons for this, but past research suggest it could be due to the stigma of mental illness and the inability to recognise the symptoms.
Getting help for mental health-related issues should never be a source of embarrassment for anyone so, if you suspect might be fighting a battle with a mental illness, here are some places you look to for help.
Note: Due to circuit breaker measures, face-to-face consultations would only be allowed for patients with unstable mental health conditions (who are at risk of harming themselves or others), unless otherwise stated.