Singapore is linking up with researchers around the world to understand the root causes behind the surge, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Feb 7.
Speaking on a motion in Parliament on advancing mental health, he noted that the current generation of young people worldwide are expressing more concerns about their mental health than previous cohorts.
This trend is seen in Singapore, though not at the same high levels as some countries where mental health issues are conflated with other difficult issues such as drug abuse, homelessness and street violence.
"But it is nevertheless a worrying trend, and we are taking it seriously," said DPM Wong.
He noted that some researchers think heavy social media use is a major cause of the recent surge.
The constant pressure to present a positive image online, the fear of missing out, algorithms that flood news feeds with stories that are designed to spark outrage, and cyberbullying all these factors could take a toll on mental health, he said.
This story is from the February 08, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the February 08, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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