A recent survey by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) highlighted the existing problem of a ‘treatment gap’, in which the majority of people suffering from such mental health issues did not seek professional treatment from counsellors or psychologists in Singapore.
According to the study, this could be due to two reasons. First, the failure to recognise the symptoms and second, mental health stigma in Singapore.
The results suggest that although having a mental health condition is not uncommon, it unfortunately remains a misunderstood and taboo subject. In fact, mental health discrimination and mental illness stigma are widespread in Asian countries like Singapore.
But what if we could change that?
Yes, you heard us right! We can break the barriers of stigma around therapy through deliberate and consistent efforts, both individually and as a society.
This blog takes you through what mental health stigma in Singapore looks like, why it may exist, and how we can collectively bring down those towering walls.
Mental health stigma isn’t always loud and dramatic. More often than not, it hides in plain sight, in silence, discomfort, shame, judgment and quiet avoidance.
It can come from society, family, culture, media, workplaces, and even our inner dialogue. Many internalise the idea that mental health struggles are signs of weakness and that therapy is only for the ‘weak’ or those who are ‘seriously ill’.
Mental health and therapy stigma can be broadly classified into the following three types:
We see public stigma in the beliefs, practices, stereotypes and discriminatory behaviours followed (passively or actively) by a majority of society.
Some common types of public mental health stigma in Singapore are:
Self-stigma is often the result of internalised public stigma that we grow up seeing around us.
Below are some practical examples of how self-stigma around mental health and therapy can manifest:
Structural stigma refers to systemic policies and institutional practices that create differences and discriminate against marginalised communities, including those facing mental health challenges.
Here are some ways in which structural mental health stigma exists in Singapore:
Mental health and therapy stigma arises out of a combination of societal factors, historical attitudes, widespread stereotypes, prejudice, misinformation and more.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), stigma is often the result of a ‘lack of understanding or fear’ of the unknown. We fear what we cannot understand and alienate, avoid, trivialise and discriminate against what we fear.
That said, the following are some common reasons that may have led to and sustained mental health stigma in Singapore:
As we saw in the preceding section, mental health stigma can manifest as societal prejudice, personal beliefs and systemic discrimination. These, in turn, negatively impact the lives of people with mental health issues, society at large, and future generations.
The constant description of others as ‘crazy’, ‘gila’, ‘siao’ or ‘psychotic’ tends to imbue these words with negative stereotyping and often results in social distancing. A study published in 2017 revealed that among Singaporean youth, 44.5% of the respondents associated pejorative words and phrases with mental illness (Pang et. al, 2017).
Another example is making statements such as ‘I was so embarrassed, I wanted to kill myself’, which could be triggering for those battling with depression if overheard unintentionally.
Hence, it’s crucial to find ways to collectively reduce mental health stigma, normalise therapy and other forms of mental health support, and build a more empathetic, inclusive and supportive society.
When we say ‘breaking mental health stigma in Singapore’, we don’t just mean awareness campaigns and rallies. It can be done through small, intentional acts in our everyday lives.
Have you heard the quote, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”? This simple yet deep quote by the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu shows us the power of small steps.
Right from the words we use to the social media stories we post, these seemingly everyday actions and choices can help shift perspectives about mental health (internally and eventually at a societal level).
Here are some ways in which each of us can contribute to breaking mental health stigma in Singapore:
Stigma often stems from misunderstanding, misinformation or fear. Thus, the first and perhaps most crucial step to ending any type of stigma is education and understanding.
Spend time learning about mental health from credible sources. As you start learning, gently push yourself to challenge myths and misconceptions when you hear them – be it with family, friends, colleagues or strangers.
Also, research forms of mental health support, such as therapy, and understand how they work. Understand that there is no prerequisite for therapy, and you don’t need a reason to reach out for help.
Did you know the difference between a therapist and a psychologist? What types of issues can they each help with? What the benefits of engaging in therapy are?
Understanding can help you learn answers and slowly unravel years of mental health stigma and internalisation.
Sharing your personal experiences with therapy can be a great tool in spreading awareness and breaking mental health stigma in Singapore. That said, ensure that you feel comfortable and safe doing so.
You can talk about your experiences (with therapy, psychologists, mental health apps, specific mental health struggles, or just mental health in general) in everyday conversations, share them through social media platforms or write about them.
Hearing your story can help others see that therapy is not something to be ashamed of – it’s a form of self-care and one of the bravest things you can do. Your story might be the spark of encouragement for someone else to reach out for help!
Language plays an important part in both stigmatising and destigmatising mental illness.
Next time, instead of saying ‘she’s depressed’, try ‘she felt down’ or ‘she had a depressive episode’.
This separates the illness from the individual, reminding them that they are bigger than their emotions or mental state. Over time, seemingly small changes in language can help combat mental illness stigma in Singapore.
Acceptance also plays a huge role in removing prejudices. One way to show acceptance is to emotionally validate our peers or loved ones when they come to us with problems.
Invalidation occurs when we tell other people to ‘not think about it anymore’ or to ‘not be sad’.
By normalising sadness and anxiety, people will feel more understood and accepted. For example, instead of saying ‘don’t think about it’, try saying ‘it’s normal to feel anxious about having to present!’
This would encourage them to talk about their feelings, which would lead to improved mental well-being and also help reduce mental health stigma in Singapore.
Amid the endless waves of misinformation rampant on social media, every piece of credible content has immense value.
Follow trustworthy pages such as mental health professionals and organisations, and share content that you find insightful and reliable. Each post or story you share can help combat mental health stigma in Singapore.
Make emotional check-ins and conversations around mental health a regular part of family life.
Discussing feelings openly, whether arising out of relationships, work or school, can help create a home environment where mental health is valued the same as physical health.
If you’re a parent, talk openly about your emotions, share experiences with therapy, model healthy coping strategies and validate your children’s feelings.
Parents are some of the earliest shapers of children’s views around mental health. If your child is facing any mental health challenge (eg, ADHD, anxiety, etc), consider consulting a professional child psychologist.
Creating a safe, nurturing space at home – one where feelings are welcomed and not judged – helps kids develop a healthy relationship with mental health and therapy.
Remember, change always starts at home, and so does breaking mental health stigma in Singapore.
Staying silent in the face of jokes and casual remarks about mental health may seem harmless, but they only serve to reinforce stigma. In fact, stigma thrives in silence.
If you observe prejudiced opinions, ignorant comments, or outright harmful actions around you, call them out (with kindness) and explain why they are harmful.
These small acts of speaking up can help dismantle the layers of mental health stigma in Singapore.
If a friend, family member or acquaintance is dealing with mental health struggles, offer a listening ear, a compassionate shoulder, and a supportive hand.
Let them know they’re not alone and encourage them to seek help by reaching out to a counsellor or psychologist, support groups, or just talking to someone they trust. If they feel comfortable sharing more with you, stay sensitive and non-judgmental.
Sometimes, even just having someone by your side can help significantly. By being there for your loved ones when they face mental health challenges, you also help reduce mental health stigma in Singapore.
If you have the resources and safety to do so, advocate for open conversations and awareness initiatives such as support groups, workshops, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), etc, in your workplace.
The good news is that more and more people are breaking workplace mental health stigma in Singapore.
Parents of school-going children can also reduce mental health stigma and improve awareness in Singapore by petitioning educational institutions to have:
With mental health now on the national agenda, awareness initiatives and anti-stigma campaigns are among the most effective ways to break mental health stigma in Singapore.
By participating in and supporting (to the extent and in the way that you can) local mental wellness events, school-based mental health drives or workplace workshops, you can help shift public perspective on mental health and therapy.
Remember that support needn’t always be monetary – you can make an impact by volunteering, just showing up or even spreading the word.
Today, mental health awareness in Singapore is at an all-time high, and we believe the only way to go is up!
Through intentional actions (small or big, collective or personal), we can spark real change and combat mental health stigma in Singapore.
If you’ve been hesitant to start therapy, take this as your sign to break the chain of stigma and prioritise your mental well-being. Remember, therapy is a life-long investment in your well-being and asking for help is one of the bravest things you can do.
Explore psychologists at Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO) and schedule your first therapy session today!
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