IMH study reveals improved recognition and reduced stigma for mental health conditions.
A new study by Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health (IMH) highlights increasing awareness and decreasing stigma surrounding mental health conditions among Singaporeans. The latest Mind Matters survey, conducted between 2022 and 2024, shows that nearly 59% of respondents can now identify common mental health issues, compared to 42.3% in the earlier 2014-2015 study.
Key Findings
The study focused on public knowledge and attitudes toward conditions such as dementia, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), alcohol abuse, gambling disorder, and depression with suicidality.
Recognition Rates: Dementia was the most recognized condition (83%), followed by gambling disorder (77.1%) and depression with suicidality (72.1%).
Least Recognized Conditions: Schizophrenia (15.1%) and OCD (62.3%) had lower recognition rates, though OCD awareness has significantly improved from 28.7% in the earlier survey.
Shifting Stigmas
The study also measured societal stigma using a scoring system based on respondents’ views on individuals with mental health conditions, including perceptions of unpredictability and personal weakness.
Findings indicate reduced stigma across all measured domains. However, conditions like gambling disorder and alcohol abuse remain associated with personal weakness, reflecting lingering misconceptions about addiction being a matter of choice rather than a complex interplay of genetics, trauma, and coping mechanisms.
Insights and Initiatives
Associate Professor Mythily Subramaniam, co-investigator of the study, attributed rising OCD awareness to increased media coverage, as it is Singapore’s third most common mental health condition, affecting one in 28 adults. Meanwhile, schizophrenia’s low prevalence (1 in 116) has limited public recognition efforts.
Ms. Porsche Poh, executive director of Silver Ribbon (Singapore), stressed the importance of storytelling by individuals with lived experiences to demystify conditions like schizophrenia.
Ministerial Perspective
Minister of State for Social and Family Development, Sun Xueling, noted that younger individuals, women, and those with higher education levels exhibit the least stigmatizing attitudes. She credited campaigns, education, and social media for shaping these more inclusive perceptions.
Researchers’ Recommendations
Experts emphasized the need for compassionate public education campaigns addressing addiction. “Acknowledging the underlying factors like genetics and trauma is key to fostering empathy and encouraging those affected to seek help,” said Prof. Subramaniam.
These findings mark a significant step toward a more inclusive society, encouraging further dialogue and understanding around mental health.
