Saturday, March 9, 2019

Mental health must be a national priority

Source Website: https://www.tnp.sg/news/views/mental-health-must-be-national-priority
By Anthea Ong, Comment, The New Paper, 08 March 2019 at 06:00 am


Mental illnesses affect people across all ages and segments in Singapore.
PHOTO: Mental illnesses affect people across all ages and segments in Singapore.
Picture posted by COPE on 15 November 2016
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzUwU_aJiotL72ckMivfIoqtpOA3EDzAmP3QXTKw8bz6XLBpkLy0cSM7a3ZhK63Z0QuV3dC6vpaj6y_ZU-O8FMcM5kEMGEqMWwVEYQUsP7wYieFaGrDj8CQNeVwxULU5jPnZQpTQWZgk/s1600/angst_1.jpg
https://copesad.dk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/angst.jpg
https://copesad.dk/2016/11/15/angsten-den-ubudne-gaest/


Mental well-being must be an ongoing national and whole-of-government priority.

We must constantly question if our national policies and spending empower, beyond just enabling, our people to be ready for challenges ahead and confident of our future.

Given that, should not mental health be one of the longer term domestic challenges alongside those highlighted in the Budget, namely ageing, social mobility, inequality, economic transformation and climate change?
Mental health should be one of the longer term domestic challenges alongside those highlighted in the Budget, namely ageing, social mobility, inequality, economic transformation and climate change.
PHOTO: Mental health should be one of the longer term domestic challenges alongside those highlighted in the Budget, namely ageing, social mobility, inequality, economic transformation and climate change.
Picture posted by Tania Gaby on 10 October 2016
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https://www.3a2ilati.com/article/%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%86-1612286


The young man who works with me at one of my community projects, A Good Space, almost jumped off the 15th storey of a Housing Board block a few years ago when he was 19 even while he was on treatment for depression.

Then there is my own close shave with depression over 12 years ago when my world collapsed at the height of my professional and economic success.

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) recently reported the number of Singaporeans between the ages of 16 and 30 who sought help from its Community Health Assessment Team over 2015 to 2018 has jumped by 190 per cent.
The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) recently reported the number of Singaporeans between the ages of 16 and 30 who sought help from its Community Health Assessment Team over 2015 to 2018 has jumped by 190 per cent.
PHOTO: The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) recently reported the number of Singaporeans between the ages of 16 and 30 who sought help from its Community Health Assessment Team over 2015 to 2018 has jumped by 190 per cent.
Picture posted by Cosmopolitan Argentina on 01 June 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_qZLWtMkCoMFBgOYpsYvjU_vm9mPDMgmYbK9wfrH-Vfb3ZYYcmO0O2euactM0AsErLsbRAUKykedjM1IrV6gPhWO-1BdgG5phmC8Ue1ZhQcfneS3Gaw49rwNPBz_be3PkeIGiuHD3ps/s1600/Mental_Health_Blue.jpg
Mental_Health_Blue.jpg - Screen capture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmS2P4x19uw


Children aged five to nine calling the Samaritans Of Singapore hotline rose by more than 500 per cent in less than three years.

Duke-NUS found that one in five elderly caregivers in Singapore suffer from depression, and research by Singapore Management University also found that six in 10 migrant workers with an injury or salary claim are likely to suffer from a serious mental illness.

We must make mental health a priority now because it affects the lives of Singaporeans across all ages and segments.
We must make mental health a priority now because it affects the lives of Singaporeans across all ages and segments.
PHOTO: We must make mental health a priority now because it affects the lives of Singaporeans across all ages and segments.
Picture posted by Cosmopolitan Argentina on 01 June 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M06urXHzrdm6XX1Dx_AknXkZP3ptU5UZU_qBlHodJbT8T-xK-AxvobqFOObs3U0lTRmUYEL3u8byzi56vfutiufgSYwCbVIH548iAIS_QJ1GzMQvU2fNHXXjj-pBEhBfAfgi70FChUY/s1600/Mental_Health_1.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lmS2P4x19uw/maxresdefault.jpg - (Mental_Health_1.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmS2P4x19uw


The Ministry of Education informed me in my recent parliamentary question that they recorded 10 in 1,000 students receiving counselling for stress and anxiety.

CONDITION
The IMH study showed one in seven adults experiences a mental health condition.

There is no health without mental health. We must normalise mental health and bring it out in the open.

The Government and community have to learn to value mental health as a basic need, and to then reduce stigma and improve help-seeking and recovery.
There is no health without mental health.
PHOTO: There is no health without mental health. We must normalise mental health and bring it out in the open.
The Government and community have to learn to value mental health as a basic need, and to then reduce stigma and improve help-seeking and recovery.
Photograph by Manda Kempthorne on 05 July 2014 - Film Noir Teaser -
https://500px.com/photo/75683339/film-noir-teaser-by-manda-kempthorne
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGC3y4y9g0Foer4om_IlSPiVnTiy8MtN-rjEzQbX0AIGrzgaeL_v6advjDp9qqFBaEeFQRU3Qw6MtxlHZvd-V-yz5LhVmkHDaPlqrgwcucMNIbrnAUzc8nCDU1z5r4GLvnhq9K1k_QJg/s1600/ec2eea146733f5015151d388bb32485e.jpg
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https://www.pinterest.es/pin/176062666665223115/
https://500px.com/photo/75683339/film-noir-teaser-by-manda-kempthorne


Mental health is not and must not be the responsibility of Ministry of Health and the social sector alone.

All ministries should recognise their role in protecting mental health.

Mandating mental health education in our schools and institutes of higher learning is the surest signal to normalise mental health, together with providing support structures for parents and families to be equipped with emotional management skills, coping mechanisms, and problem solving skills to help our children and youth better navigate stress.
Mandating mental health education in our schools and institutes of higher learning is the surest signal to normalise mental health, together with providing support structures for parents and families to be equipped with emotional management skills, coping mechanisms, and problem solving skills to help our children and youth better navigate stress.
PHOTO: Mandating mental health education in our schools and institutes of higher learning is the surest signal to normalise mental health, together with providing support structures for parents and families to be equipped with emotional management skills, coping mechanisms, and problem solving skills to help our children and youth better navigate stress.
Picture posted by Crazydrummer on 28 November 2018 at 19:04
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https://i.scdn.co/image/4ee263baf6bf041a9fbf08fc54fc254f57bddbdf
https://enceintesetmusiques.com/forum/lantre-des-progueux-6906-400?sid=59191f0e926efd1beca49eaf69d29324#p237313


It is time for the Government to recognise, acknowledge and understand the complexity of mental health and to create opportunities and solutions to improve the lives of our people, especially our children and youth.

It is time to redefine our values as a nation and cherish every individual's subjective well-being, dreams and aspirations beyond just their material and economic achievements.
It is time to redefine our values as a nation and cherish every individual's subjective well-being, dreams and aspirations beyond just their material and economic achievements.
PHOTO: It is time to redefine our values as a nation and cherish every individual's subjective well-being, dreams and aspirations beyond just their material and economic achievements.
Picture posted by Jennifer Maraj on 19 February 2019
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeLTjVfdfH_0JQaBMZ_9miZ9VX3mOPgXYxi93-HqGo84OCNm5vEGyE_elifoqmmP2uJagcn-GmFqiwhCZ1DBGVwMRF7fDz7IeeAF_GLxs33kyEh1bNwZ6tSzq3BxyccTbUOVw8QuxVuc/s1600/001%252B1.jpg
https://plus.google.com/107473912047002174772/posts/NtWdu5cYkLz


It can be done, it must be done because mental health is what makes us human.

This surely is what a strong, united Singapore must, first and foremost, always be.
All ministries should recognise their role in protecting mental health.
All ministries should recognise their role in protecting mental health.
PHOTO: All ministries should recognise their role in protecting mental health.
Mandating mental health education in our schools and institutes of higher learning is the surest signal to normalise mental health, together with providing support structures for parents and families to be equipped with emotional management skills, coping mechanisms, and problem solving skills to help our children and youth better navigate stress.
Picture posted by Skyrock
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp5ezm18Lbhqvbn8FU0mSFWfIjDgPB85vXLypUgP2yLyQhf6TP0EQeZlxgkCTiY35TYRaB5E240AAjmSocmlAPAuVCqZ5iuQcjv-VNtjo4gtpNEaB0HcgvSx77DTB10_D0TxmuTTG380/s1600/VVodd8w.png
PHOTO: It is time for the Government to recognise, acknowledge and understand the complexity of mental health and to create opportunities and solutions to improve the lives of our people, especially our children and youth. It can be done, it must be done because mental health is what makes us human.
Photography by Adam Attoun, Model Brandie Lawson
Animation by DarkAngelØne
Picture posted by George RedHawk_Dark Angel0ne on 30 January 2015 at 12:08 AM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2GtoKfh4E6X7VoLrQvn3X8COBDyaTBPLzi2Ndx2rI3TidzpLJ-2jIxJuBniDm83Y9dybPC6Jbg7iHwmsau7l-WQSmhcuByVIvqtVSTJkOyMigh35pMWE3gNVJjLv0jj7VSPZ0VgsgIk/s1600/Adam-Attoun-Photography-Brandie-Lawson.jpg
PHOTO: All ministries should recognise their role in protecting mental health. This surely is what a strong, united Singapore must, first and foremost, always be.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)
Photography by Adam Attoun, Model Brandie Lawson
Animation by DarkAngelØne (Reverse version)
Picture posted by George RedHawk_Dark Angel0ne on 30 January 2015 at 12:10 AM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasKLANmkHhzX5aNi-VZNptmFYvnqrJXEgr95EGmG4uufxt1QhKAcZ358PDlDaL1KI3WTkIgC5cmnaepnxvM48yl7qZSLI7x0HEs8Saekpfewq3b1ZiDMslw38xAFfVbFUUrTS15rTikA/s1600/Adam+Attoun_Model-Brandie+Lawson_reverse.gif
https://plus.google.com/photos/103319792516271097294/album/5955726488644096561/6109796454674910482

By Anthea Ong, Comment, The New Paper, 08 March 2019 at 06:00 am
The writer is a Nominated Member of Parliament, the founder of Hush TeaBar, a not-for-profit social enterprise and the author of 50 Shades Of Love. This is an edited version of her speech delivered in Parliament during the Budget 2019 debate on Feb 27.

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Reference
[1] Anthea Ong, Comment, The New Paper, Comment: Mental health must be a national priority, posted on 08 March 2019 at 06:00 am, https://www.tnp.sg/news/views/mental-health-must-be-national-priority

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Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew11%3A28-29&version=NIV
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