Close to 100 young people between the ages of 13 and 17 have benefited from a mental health screening programme rolled out at all nine polyclinics run by the National Healthcare Group (NHG).
The programme, Adolescent Evaluation and Rapid Treatment of Mental Health, or Alert, was piloted at Hougang Polyclinic in November 2021. It has been available across all of NHG’s polyclinics since April 2023.
Those who show possible signs of mental health issues are screened during their regular consultations.
At a briefing held on July 9 at Khatib Polyclinic, Dr Eugene Chua, co-lead for National Healthcare Group Polyclinics’ (NHGP) mental health programme, said that young people undergo many transitions.
Biologically, they are undergoing puberty, which brings about physical and hormonal changes that some can find distressing. Psychosocially, teenagers are developing their personal identities and seeking acceptance from peers and society.
If these stressors are not properly managed, young people can be at risk of mental health issues.
Dr Chua said that some signs of youngsters with mental health problems include those who come to the polyclinic frequently for issues like headaches, chest pain and stomach aches.
Those with recurrent visits would likely be screened under the Alert programme.
Esta historia es de la edición July 10, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 10, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
NUS team discovers way to rejuvenate eggs of older women
Researchers' breakthrough could boost success of assisted reproductive tech
US senator slammed for saying Muslim advocate supports extremism
Republican Senator John Kennedy accused a leading Muslim civil rights advocate of supporting extremism during a Senate hearing on hate incidents in the US, drawing criticism from many rights groups.
Canadian PM shows no sign of stepping down despite election loss
Doubts about the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intensified after his ruling Liberal Party suffered a second humiliating loss in a special election, but the unpopular leader is determined to cling to office ahead of a looming national vote.
Golf – a refuge for US presidents but a headache for the Secret Service
Security risks abound on golf courses, with their wide-open spaces offering easy access
More women aged 50 and older having babies
The boundary of motherhood has shifted over the past few years as more women aged 50 and above are having babies.
Developers offered new incentives to use greener cooling solutions
Bonus floor space for those that build new district systems or tap existing ones
COE prices mostly higher; Open category premium hits $113,104
Certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums climbed across most categories on Sept 18, with the Open category recording the biggest rise to hit $113,104.
Turn phone or laptop into health screener with new software
A new software that analyses users' vital signs can turn any laptop or phone camera into a fullyfledged health screening device.
New Silkroutes ex-director gets jail for key role in market rigging
A former finance director of Singapore-listed New Silkroutes Group was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison on Sept 16 after pleading guilty to manipulating its share prices to allow its shares to be used as consideration for corporate deals.
Circle Line services hit again after fire in depot
Transport Correspondent For a second day, passengers on the Circle Line (CCL) had their journeys disrupted after several trains briefly lost power at about 8pm on Sept 18, stalling for about 15 minutes.
