In a startling revelation, a recent Ipsos survey has unveiled a concerning mental health crisis in Singapore, with over half of the population experiencing stress that significantly impacted their daily lives in the past year.
The Ipsos World Mental Health Day 2023 Report, published on Oct. 9, paints a grim picture of the state of mental well-being in the nation.
The survey, conducted by the market research firm online over two weeks, encompassed 1,000 Singaporeans aged 21 to 74, exploring shifts in their perceptions and attitudes towards mental health. The findings are particularly poignant as they coincide with World Mental Health Day, which is observed on Oct. 10.
The report reveals that a staggering 55 percent of Singaporeans reported experiencing stress that disrupted their daily lives over the past year. Furthermore, one in four young adults under the age of 35 admitted to having seriously contemplated self-harm or suicide, indicating the severity of the crisis affecting the younger generation.
Work-related stress was also a major concern, with nearly 40 percent of respondents admitting to having taken time off from work due to stress over the past year. Alarmingly, 15 percent of those individuals reported needing multiple breaks from work due to stress-induced issues.
Chief among the healthcare concerns of Singaporeans is mental health, with 46 percent considering it one of the most significant health problems facing the country today. This perception ranks higher than concerns about cancer (38 percent) and stress (35 percent).
While a substantial 78 percent of respondents believed that mental health should be as important as physical health, only 54 percent felt that the healthcare system treated mental and physical health equally, marking a slight increase from the 43 percent reported in 2021.
The Ipsos report also highlights other troubling statistics, with 24 percent of Singaporeans acknowledging that stress had a significant impact on their daily lives, and 23 percent feeling unable to cope with the pressures. Nearly half (49 percent) reported feeling depressed to the point of sadness and hopelessness, with 20 percent experiencing these emotions repeatedly in the past year.
Furthermore, 10 percent of respondents disclosed that they had seriously contemplated self-harm or suicide on multiple occasions during the past year.
The survey reveals a significant disparity in how Singaporeans prioritize their physical health compared to their mental well-being.
A majority, 66 percent, indicated that they frequently thought about their physical health, while only 52 percent reported the same frequency in thinking about their mental well-being. Shockingly, 44 percent of respondents admitted to either never thinking about or giving little consideration to their mental well-being.
In response to these disconcerting statistics, Melanie Ng, the director of public affairs for Ipsos in Singapore, emphasized the need for heightened commitment from employers, governmental bodies, and communities to enhance preventative mental health care.
She stated, “These figures are worrying because they continue to remain high despite greater awareness for self-care and community support. Quite a considerable population of Singaporeans admitted to seldom or never focusing on their mental well-being, a tendency that may be attributed to the high-stress, relentless rhythm of life in Singapore.”
The Ipsos survey also highlighted generational differences in attitudes towards mental health, with 65 percent of respondents under the age of 35 expressing frequent concern for their mental well-being compared to 48 percent in the 50 to 74 age range.
