Mental health professionals: Who they are, what they do, whom to approach

From counsellors to therapists, Singapore's mental health practitioners play different roles and use tailored approaches to tackle everything from addiction and disorders to everyday life challenges. As part without mental of a new series on , health The Straits Times looks at the professionals in the sector.

- Hazel Tang HW

When a teenager battling gaming addiction was referred to counsellor Daniel Wong, it was clear to him that the problem went beyond excessive screen time.

Showing signs of anxiety and depression, the teenager struggled to cope in school. He shut himself off from the outside world, only immersing himself in his games.

Mr Wong, who is with Touch Community Services, says: "It was tricky and I was a little taken aback, because what do we focus on here? His mental well-being, addiction or his personal relationships?" The counsellor decided to connect with the teen in the gaming world. After a few sessions of playing games together, the teenager began to open up and revealed the real issue his tumultuous relationship with his father.

The two had frequent arguments. The teen turned to gaming to manage his anger and avoid interactions with his father; the father blamed gaming for his son's behaviour.

Despite initial hesitation from the teen, Mr Wong decided to involve the family in his counselling sessions.

The focus was on enhancing their communication and reducing misunderstandings, Mr Wong explains.

The first few family sessions were heated. But gradually over the next nine months, the father learnt that he needed to change how he communicated with his son so he did not come across as nagging or reprimanding, while the teenager was encouraged to find ways to appreciate his father's advice.

As the teenager's relationship with his father started to mend, his depressive symptoms lessened, his anxiety attacks stopped and his gaming addiction faded. He came out of his shell and started making friends at school.

Mental health professionals like Mr Wong work behind the scenes, unravelling the complexities of individual struggles.