A significant proportion of youth in Singapore has experienced severe or very severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress, the first nationwide survey on youth mental health by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) found.
Nearly a third of young people aged 15 to 35 reported symptoms that included feeling empty, tense or upset most of the time, according to the National Youth Mental Health Study.
"Navigating the complexities of youth is challenging enough, but young people today are grappling with unique issues that previous generations did not," said Associate Professor Swapna Verma, who chairs IMH's medical board and was co-principal investigator of the study.
"For instance, social media exposes them to constant comparisons, intensifying concerns about body image.
"The anonymity of the online world has also given rise to cyber bullying, which adds a new dimension of harassment that can be relentless and far-reaching."
Young people were more likely to report having symptoms if they had experienced cyber bullying, had moderate to severe concerns about their body shape or spent more than three hours daily on social media, said IMH, which released the results on Sept 19.
The nationwide epidemiological study established the prevalence of severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, along with their associated factors including cyber bullying, body shape concerns and excessive social media use, as well as the treatment gap and sources of support among young people here.
The one-third figure is similar to the findings of other research studies that are based on self-reporting, said the Health, Education, and Social and Family Development ministries in a joint release on Sept 19.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 20, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 20, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
THE TRAIN OF THOUGHT IN STICKY NOTES
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? @SUBWAYTHERAPY
Use of escalators ● Benefits to encouraging standing on both sides
The recent initiative by Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) to encourage standing on both sides of escalators is a sensible move that Singapore could consider adopting.
Replies Rentals ● HDB reviewing how data accuracy can be improved
We thank Mr Foo Sing Kheng for his feedback (Rental rates ensure accuracy of data on HDB website, Oct 23).
Singer Karol G apologises for song said to sexualise minors
Colombian reggaeton star Karol G apologised on Nov 11 after her latest song, +57, was criticised for sexualising minors.
Mattel mistakenly lists porn site on packaging for Wicked dolls
All may be good in the Land of Oz, but the same cannot be said for the world of Mattel.
Singer G.E.M. to perform at National Stadium in March
Hong Kong singer G.E.M. is slated to hold a concert at the National Stadium on March 1, 2025.
Actress Megan Fox pregnant again after miscarriage
After a previous miscarriage, American actress Megan Fox is pregnant again. American rapper Machine Gun Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, is reportedly the father, according to US media.
Singer Yu Tian's son-in-law receives suspended jail sentence for scam involvement
Gary Chen, the son-in-law of famed Taiwanese singers Yu Tian and Li Ya-ping, has been given a suspended jail sentence for his involvement with a scam syndicate.
Irish pop band The Corrs to hold February concert
Irish pop quartet The Corrs will be back in Singapore for a concert at The Star Theatre on Feb 13, 2025.
A French veterinary psychiatrist puts cats on the couch in new book
Even dog people must admit that cats are having a moment.