The Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) initiated in 2016 found that 1 in 7 people in Singapore have experienced a mood, anxiety or alcohol use disorder in their lifetime. Among the conditions assessed in this study, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), alcohol abuse and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) emerged as the top three mental disorders in Singapore. MDD was the most common with one in 16 people in Singapore having had the condition at some point in their lifetime, while alcohol abuse and OCD affected one in 24 and one in 28 people, respectively.
Socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, employment and income status were factors associated with the prevalence of mental disorders.
The proportion of the people with mental disorders who were not seeking help remains high, and a significant treatment gap remains. Stigma and lack of mental health literacy were likely to be contributory factors to the delay.
Consequently, returning to work can be difficult for those recovering from mental illness, especially in seeking acceptance at the workplace. It is vital that mental health persons-in-recovery are placed in a supportive and understanding environment, working together with their colleagues to rehabilitate and tackle the stigma of mental illness in the workplace.