HONG KONG, Mar 7, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - EC Healthcare and ClinicONE jointly launched the intelligent remote health management platform Health.Me2 today. Through IoT cloud technology with A.I. medical analysis and professional medical teams, users' health status can be monitored and evaluated remotely. The platform will notify users and follow up when the system finds abnormal health values or potential health risks. Users can view the elderly's health records anytime and anywhere through the app. The R&D team hopes the technology can support busy urbanites to take care of elders more efficiently. Telehealth consultation service provided by EC Healthcare; professional nursing monitoring service provided by Hong Kong Consortium for Medical, Nursing and Healthcare Development (MNHD); professional psychological consultation and emotion support service provided by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. According to a survey conducted by a local online media HK01 in July of last year, more than 80% of the elderly respondents prefer to receive community care. Some studies have shown that community care is effective in preventing the deterioration of physical functions of the elderly due to premature admission to residential care. Besides, community care can save a considerable number of residential care costs. A three-hour private home care service costs more than a thousand Hong Kong dollars. In addition, environmental change may cause psychological stress on the elderly. Community care allows the elderly to stay connected with family and friends, which helps to maintain mental and social health.Along the onslaught of the fifth wave, outpatient services in hospitals and clinics were affected. Caregivers who live together or separately have undue hardship in providing professional medical support to the elderly. Given this, Applied Technology launched a 3-month A.I. remote nursing plan to achieve an efficient health support services for the elderly under the epidemic.Details of the A.I. remote care plan are as follows: Using health.me2 smartwatch and medical measuring instruments with Bluetooth function. The user's blood oxygen, pulse, body temperature and other health data will be measured and instantly uploaded to the cloud platform by IoT technology. Comprehensive health records and chart analysis are provided for easier management. The plan includes health monitoring and nursing follow-up services 15 times provided by a professional team. Services include:- Follow-up warnings- Health conditions alert- Regular proactive contact- Video/telephone health consultation- Online meeting with doctorsThe service hour of the nursing team is Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm.Package included:- Bluetooth pulse Oximeter x 1 - Bluetooth portable Thermometer x 1 - Synchronizes users' health data in real time by IoT technology- Able to obtain real-time data and health alerts through mobile app- AI data analysis for early detection of potential health risksRemote Nurse Care Service (Provided by Nurse Team from Hone Kong Consortium for Medical, Nursing and Healthcare Development (MNHD))Monitoring . Communication . Follow-upMonitor:- Real-time monitoring of health data (blood oxygen, pulse, body temperature, etc.) via Bluetooth device- Follow up and notify family members on abnormal health conditions Communication: - Regularly and proactively contact users to follow-up their physical condition- Professional consultation request by userFollow up:- Arrange online meeting with a doctor if potential risks are identified- Arrange referrals to professional clinic services for detailed examination One-time emotional support service provided by a professional psychological counsellor (provided by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong)1 additional health review service by a doctor (provided by a registered medical practitioner of EC Healthcare) For service details, please visit www.healthme2.ai *Health.me2 are only for daily nursing purposes, not emergency medical services. Health.me2 and its service providers will not provide any form of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.*After evaluation by professional nursing team, Health.me2 and its service providers can refer users to accredited medical institutions for further examination or treatment.About ClinicONE ClinicONE provides top healthcare technology solutions including one-stop Clinic Management System, patient app for e-appointment and e-ticketing services, telemedicine platform and digital homecare system. Our clients include medical groups, NGOs, universities, individual practitioners,etc. ClinicONE strive to improve the patient journey and contribute to the digital transformation of clinical services with our technology platform.About Hong Kong Consortium for Medical, Nursing and Healthcare Development (MNHD)The Hong Kong Consortium for Medical and Nursing Development is a non-profit organization that aims to gather elites in the medical and nursing field who are interested in social service, and improve the quality of the medical and nursing industry through professional knowledge and experience to promote community health and caring. MNHD also promotes inter-professional cooperation in medical and nursing association and facilitates inter-professional exchanges and cooperation in physical and mental health patient care, diagnosis, treatment, medication guidance, and rehabilitation.About EC HealthcareEC Healthcare is the largest non-hospital medical service provider in Hong Kong, with preventive and precision medicine as its core business. Through the integration and development of medical artificial intelligence with multiple services, EC healthcare supports high-end brands and high-quality customer services, committed to providing customers with the most professional, safe and effective medical and health services. EC Healthcare's current operated clinics/service centres are mainly located in the Greater Bay Area, providing one-stop medical and health services. Its leading well-known one-stop medical aesthetic service brands include DR REBORN and a variety of Multi-dimensional medical services include: General outpatient Tencent Doctorwork, Chiropractic etc.About The Mental Health Association of Hong KongThe Mental Health Association of Hong Kong was established in 1954 as a non-profit social service organization promoting mental health. The Association is committed to promoting the public's awareness and concern on mental health. It provides comprehensive community rehabilitation services for the mentally ill, mentally handicapped, and disabled, including residential care, community support, day training, vocational rehabilitation, employment support and special education.Media EnquiriesMr. Gary YungBusiness Development Manager of Applied Technology Group LimitedPhone: 21229556Email: gary.yung@atg.ai Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
SINGAPORE - What started out as a school service learning project has now grown into something much bigger for five former schoolmates. When the then Hwa Chong Institution students first started the project in 2018, the Mental Health Collective's (MHC) initial mission was to empower their peers to become more aware of and take care of their own mental well-being. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
SINGAPORE - The cross-cutting nature of mental health issues means that a whole-of-nation effort is needed to help people with mental health conditions, President Halimah Yacob said on Thursday (Oct 7). Speaking at the Asia Pacific Conference and Meeting on Mental Health 2021, which was held virtually and hosted by mental health advocacy organisation Silver Ribbon Singapore, Madam Halimah said that beyond receiving help from the Government, the community can also play a larger role in this. This is the third time the event is being held, with the two previous occasions in 2016 and 2011. "With the necessary support, social service agencies may be in a good position to provide care in a community setting to persons with mental health conditions, given their close proximity to homes and connection with the ground. This is an area where I hope our social sector can step up and help to amplify government-led efforts," she said. Madam Halimah added that she was "particularly concerned" about the challenges the younger generation faces and noted that from 2015 to 2020, the number of adolescents seen at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for depression rose by about 60 per cent. "Anecdotally, we also hear of more students facing stress-related issues over time. We need to do something urgently as a community to arrest this trend," she said. Madam Halimah also said that the President's Challenge designated mental health as its focus in 2018 and has since allocated around $1.8 million to support various programmes in this area. She added that she recently invited IMH to partner the President's Challenge in developing a pilot curriculum to better prepare social service agencies to manage youth with mental health conditions. Mr Cho Ming Xiu, founder and executive director of Campus PSY, a social service agency focusing on youth, called the curriculum a "great initiative". "A standardised curriculum will help set a professional standard among the different social service agencies," he told The Straits Times. He also pointed out that social service agencies currently face issues with funding and manpower, and that more could be done in these areas. On the subject of young people, Mr Cho said that youth today face a wide array of challenges. Those at school have to deal with academic pressure and increasing competition, which are exacerbated by social media. "When you're on social media, usually what you'll see is either the news on Covid-19 or news about your friends doing well… which is not good for mental health," said Mr Cho. More on this topic Related Story Societal cost of 6 common mental health disorders estimated at $1.7b yearly: IMH study Related Story MP calls for better care and support for mental health issues amid Covid-19 Home-based learning measures also prevent young people from meeting their friends at school, which may result in social isolation. Meanwhile, young working adults may struggle with uncertainty over their jobs and finances due to Covid-19, while also juggling increased pressure to settle down and start a family, said Mr Cho. He added that it is important to focus on upstream solutions, such as identifying the early signs of mental health conditions among young people while they are still at school. This will help prevent the spiralling down to more severe mental health conditions in future, he said. Professor Fatimah Lateef, senior consultant of emergency medicine at Singapore General Hospital, who also spoke at the conference, said people must seize the momentum generated by the pandemic to tackle mental health conditions. "Never before have we had so much focus on mental health on the agenda of the leadership of countries, institutions and organisations... Awareness of the importance of mental health is really at its peak now, and we must strike while the iron is hot," she said. Among other things, Prof Fatimah also highlighted the importance of hope in helping people cope with mental health conditions. Some ways that people can help give hope to others include simply listening to them, being non-judgmental and valuing them for who they are. "Once hope is instilled in a person, it functions as an internal resource for that person, and becomes a major source of motivation for positive change," she said. More on this topic Related Story Helping youth improve mental health amid rising pressures Related Story Mental health and the young: When parents are not part of the solution Helplines • National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am to 12am) Mental well-being • Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) • Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours)/1-767 (24 hours) • Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 • Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 • Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 and www.tinklefriend.sg • Community Health Assessment Team: 6493-6500/1 and www.chat.mentalhealth.sg Counselling • TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 • TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555 • Care Corner Counselling Centre: 1800-353-5800 Online resources • mindline.sg • My Mental Health • Fei Yue’s Online Counselling Service
– Adults living with schizophrenia will have access to a new treatment option with Reagila(R) (cariprazine) now reimbursed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from 1 September, 2021.1– There continues to be a significant, unmet need in treating schizophrenia. With a complex range of symptoms,2 treatment is not a “one size fits all”.3 This listing will give adults living with schizophrenia, another affordable, mental illness treatment.– Affecting approximately 90,000 Australians,4 schizophrenia is considered our nation’s most disabling, and heavily stigmatised mental illness,5 with the average life expectancy of those with the illness, 12.5 to 16.5 years below that of the general population MELBOURNE, Sept 3, 2021 – (ACN Newswire) – A new treatment for schizophrenia in adults, Reagila(R)(cariprazine), was listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on 1 September, 2021, providing patients with an additional treatment option.1 Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder2 comprising a range of symptoms, including positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions,6,7 and negative symptoms, such as social withdrawal and apathy.8,9 Reagila(R) – in-licensed by Seqirus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSL – is an atypical antipsychotic which indirectly targets two neurotransmitters in the brain – dopamine and serotonin.10 Neurotransmitters are considered the brain’s ‘chemical pathways’.11 Approved in the US since 2015, and EU since 2017, Reagila(R) is now approved in over 52 countries for the treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients.12 Co-Director for Health and Policy, Brain & Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, and NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow, Professor Ian Hickie, Sydney, said this new listing highlights ongoing efforts to provide new treatments for schizophrenia, and the need to ensure people living with the mental illness have affordable access to a wider range of treatments. “The complex nature of schizophrenia,2 whereby people experience a range of different problems, means treatment is not a “one size fits all”.3 Additional options are most welcome, and help to reduce the current barriers to effective treatment,” said Prof Hickie. “The annual cost to Australian society of psychosis is an estimated $6 billion. However this figure does not account for the impacts endured by individuals, their families, and the supporting community.4 “Schizophrenia is a complex and often persistent mental illness. It not only affects brain function and behaviour, but is also associated with serious impacts on physical health. Consequently, it is associated with very high rates of premature death,13 often due to preventable illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, infections, accidents and suicide,”14,15 Prof Hickie said. Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) CEO, Tony Stevenson, Brisbane, welcomed the reimbursement of a new treatment option for those living with schizophrenia. “The availability and accessibility of affordable treatment options for adults living with schizophrenia is crucial for this patient community, given the stigma they experience with the disorder15, and resulting social isolation,”8,9 said Mr Stevenson. “Sadly, stigma can contribute to the impact of psychosis in schizophrenia, delays in accessing treatment, social isolation, stress, and furthermore, places those affected at higher risk for a more severe course of illness.”16 According to mental health advocate and policy advisor living with schizophrenia, Richard, 40, Sydney, “mental illness does not make you ‘crazy’, ‘dangerous’, or less of a person. It can be an inevitable part of life, and we should accept the illness, just as we do with a physical illness.” “Everyone needs love and hope, and this applies to those living with a mental illness too,” Richard said. “Timely and affordable access to a range of treatment options plays an important role in effectively managing schizophrenia, while importantly, arming the patient community with hope. “Love gives you a sense of self-worth – of being appreciated, having a net, and not being lonely. Hope gets you up in the morning, and helps to continue one’s relationship with mental illness,” said Richard. Seqirus Head of Medical Affairs Asia Pacific, Dr Jonathan Anderson, Melbourne, said the Australian Government’s investment in innovative medicines, like Reagila(R), was important to ensure Australians havetimely and affordable access to treatments which may help to address the unmet need in schizophrenia. “Seqirus is proud to make Reagila(R) available in Australia for the first time, and we thank the Australian Government for their support in delivering this PBS listing – ensuring Australian adults living with schizophrenia can access this innovative medicine, and do so in an affordable way,” Dr Anderson said. “We know that additional investment in treatment options and support is critical to changing the statistics for people living with schizophrenia, their carers, family and friends” MEDIA CONTACTSJoanne ClearySenior Manager, Communications, SeqirusM: 0428 816 751 E: Joanne.Cleary@seqirus.com Kirsten BrucePrincipal Senior, VIVA! CommunicationsMobile: 0401 717 566 / 0421 551 257Email: kirstenbruce@vivacommunications.com.au Mel KheradiMobile: 0421 551 257, VIVA! CommunicationsEmail: melorin@vivacommunications.com.au DIGITAL MEDIA KIThttps://www.schizophreniamediakit.com.auVNRhttps://vimeo.com/592544606/d1188a8813 ABOUT SEQIRUSSeqirus, a CSL company, is a leading provider of essential vaccines and pharmaceuticals. We have served Australia’s healthcare needs for over a century, and today we operate Australia’s only local manufacturing facility for seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine. Seqirus produces a range of unique medicines in the National Interest, and also in-licences a broad range of paediatric and adult vaccines and specialty pharmaceutical products. http://www.seqirus.com. ABOUT REAGILA(R)Reagila(R) was TGA approved in November 2020 as a Schedule 4 (Prescription Only Medicine).17 Reagila(R) is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients. Reagila(R) will be listed on the PBS from 1 September, 2021 for schizophrenia, and requires a Streamlined Authority prescription. FURTHER INFORMATIONReagila(R) is not recommended for use during pregnancy, and in women of childbearing potential not using effective contraception. Breastfeeding is not recommended whilst taking Reagila(R). For further information, including Contraindications, Precautions, and Interactions, refer to the Product Information and Consumer Medicine Information, or your doctor or pharmacist. Disclosure statementNo compensation was provided to Professor Ian Hickie, Mr Tony Stevenson, Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia or Richard for this media announcement, and the opinions expressed are their own. Professor Hickie has been briefed by Seqirus on the approved use of this product. REFERENCES1. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Medicine Status Website. CARIPRAZINE. 2021; Available from:https://www.pbs.gov.au/medicinestatus/document/16.html.2. Better Health Channel. Schizophrenia. [June 2021]; Available from:https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/schizophrenia.3. Health Direct. Schizophrenia. 2020 [June 2021]; Available from:https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/schizophrenia.4. The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, The economic cost of serious mental illnessand comorbidities in Australia and New Zealand. 2016.5. Australian Government Productivity Commission, Mental Health, Productivity Commission Inquiry Report. 2020.6. Schultz, S.H., S.W. North, and C.G. Shields, Schizophrenia: a review. Am Fam Physician, 2007. 75(12):p. 1821-9.7. NeuRA. Positive symptoms. 2020 [June 2021]; Available from:https://library.neura.edu.au/schizophrenia/signs-and-symptoms/general-signs-and-ymptoms/positive-symptoms/.8. National Institute of Mental Health. Schizophrenia. 2020 [June 2021]; Available from:https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/.9. NeuRA. Negative symptoms. 2020 [July 2021]; Available from:https://library.neura.edu.au/schizophrenia/signs-and-symptoms/general-signs-and-symptoms/negative-symptoms/.10. Approved Reagila Product Information. Available from:https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2020-PI-02598-1&d=202106291016933.11. The University of Queensland Australia. What are neurotransmitters? [August 2021]; Available from:https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/brain-physiology/what-are-neurotransmitters.12. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Australian Public Assessment Report for Cariprazine hydrochloride.2021 [May, 2021]; Available from: https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/auspar-cariprazine-hydrochloride-210524.pdf.13. Laursen, T.M., M. Nordentoft, and P.B. Mortensen, Excess early mortality in schizophrenia. Annu RevClin Psychol, 2014. 10: p. 425-48.14. Wildgust, H.J., R. Hodgson, and M. Beary, The paradox of premature mortality in schizophrenia: newresearch questions. J Psychopharmacol, 2010. 24(4 Suppl): p. 9-15.15. World Health Organization (WHO). Schizophrenia. 2019 [June 2021]; Available from:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia.16. Gil Dov Hoftman, M.D., Ph.D., The Burden of Mental Illness Beyond Clinical Symptoms: Impact of Stigmaon the Onset and Course of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’Journal, 2016. 11(4): p. 5-7.17. Reagila ARTG Summary. Available from: https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/servlet/xmlmillr6?dbid=ebs/PublicHTML/pdfStore.nsf&docid=0C4BF80B7C892BC0CA258624003CC46E&agid=(PrintDetailsPublic)&actionid=1.18. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Reagila Consumer Medicine Information. Available from:https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2020-CMI-02599-1&d=202107141016933.Seqirus (Australia) Pty Ltd. ABN 66 120 398 067. Melbourne, Victoria; distributor for Gedeon Richter AustraliaPty Ltd. www.seqirus.com.au. Seqirus Medical Information: 1800 642 865. Reagila(R) is a registered trademark of Gedeon Richter Plc, Hungary. Seqirus(TM) is a trademark of Seqirus UK limited or its affiliates. Date of Preparation: August 2021. ANZ-RGLA-21-0122.
SINGAPORE - Parents of secondary school students can tap a series of free online workshops to help enhance their children's mental health come October. Tender documents for the workshops, which are run by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) under the Colours Of The Mind initiative, were published on Aug 19. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
One boy was found dead in a school. Another, with a history of mental health issues, has been remanded in prison. These tragic events two weeks ago have raised the nation's awareness of mental illness in the young. They have also made me reflect on my work as a child psychiatrist for 20 years. For me, the most painful periods have been seeing my patients end their young lives. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
SINGAPORE - Mental health advocates and social service agencies welcome having more school counsellors in Singapore's labour-strapped mental health system. But they say structural barriers should be addressed too. Former NMP Anthea Ong said the plan to increase the number of teacher counsellors deployed in schools from more than 700 to over 1,000 in the next few years is a first step in aiding "grossly under-resourced schools" in mental health support for students. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing had announced the "near term" measures in Parliament last Tuesday in his ministerial statement. Currently, every Ministry of Education school has one or two counsellors. Ms Ong, who is the founder of initiative SG Mental Health Matters, which reviews Singapore's mental health policies, added: "You can increase from one to two or three counsellors per school but how they are trained, evaluated and given continuous development is what matters." High costs for treatment, long wait times and social stigma are among key barriers that social workers and mental health advocates say remain unsolved. According to the Institute of Mental Health's website, using MediSave to pay for inpatient psychiatric treatment is limited to $150 per day and a maximum of $5,000 each year. It can also be used for outpatient treatment of schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety, subject to a 15 per cent co-payment by the patient for each claim. Highlighting the gap between Medisave and Medishield Life claim limits on treatment for physical versus mental health, Ms Ong renewed her call for eliminating this difference, and for Medisave to be allowed for services at government or quasi-government funded community organisations so that young people and those who have less resources are not deterred from seeking help because of cost. In January last year, the Health Ministry said the waiting time for new subsidised appointments at public hospitals in 2018 was 27 days to see a psychiatrist and 28 days to see a psychologist. Social workers told The Sunday Times that waiting times are much longer since the Covid-19 pandemic. Some opt for private healthcare as a result, said Head of Shine Children and Youth Services' community outreach team ResiL!ence Eric Sng who added that private treatment can range between $4,000 and $5,000 with an average rate of $120 per session. "Maybe it's time to review this because there could be the impression that mental health treatment is less costly,"said Mr Sng, noting that he met a young person in their 20s who could not afford treatment. But the vigour directed towards addressing gaps in the system in the past two weeks has given some hope. Ms Geraldine Tan, a mother of three children aged between 12 and 20, said: "Many friends, with young who harbour suicidal thoughts, have asked me what (school) counselling is like since one of my children received such help after being bullied in secondary school. "I tell them that the system has benefited my children as well as myself," she added, "And I hope that, with more acceptance, many can seek help for mental health like we do for other illnesses." More on this topic Related Story Social media use can trigger feelings of inferiority or inadequacy among young: Experts Related Story Some young people in S'pore creating pseudo accounts to handle toxic comments Getting help National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am) Mental well-being Fei Yue’s Online Counselling Service: eC2.sg website (Mon to Fri, 10am to 12pm, 2pm to 5pm) Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928/6509-0271 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (Mon to Fri, 2.30pm to 5pm)/ Tinkle Friend website (Mon to Thu, 2.30pm to 7pm and Fri, 2.30pm to 5pm) Counselling TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 (Daily, 10am to 10pm) More on this topic Related Story 5 celebrities who spoke out about their mental health struggles Related Story Students prefer their teachers to counsellors for mental health support
SINGAPORE - United States gymnast Simone Biles' departure from the team competition was applauded by many for shedding light on the importance of mental health. Cha Hae Won lists five personalities who have similarly opened up about their mental health struggles. 1. Michael Phelps PHOTO: AFP Considered by many as one of the greatest swimmers of all time, the Olympic champion struggled with depression and anxiety in the past. He now spends his post-Olympic life raising awareness about mental health. 2. Adele PHOTO: AFP The Grammy-winning singer revealed in 2016 that she battled postnatal depression after her son's birth, opening up about a subject that many mothers have experienced. 3. Billie Eilish PHOTO: REUTERS Revealing her struggles with her newfound fame and body image, the singer has been vocal about her battle with depression, encouraging fans to reach out to others struggling with mental health issues. 4. DeMar DeRozan PHOTO: AFP The American basketball player revealed in 2018 that he had suffered from depression in the past. He is vocal about the need to have broader conversations about a person's mental well-being. 5. Ariana Grande PHOTO: REUTERS The singer opened up about her battles with post-traumatic stress disorder after more than 20 were killed in a bombing after her concert in 2017. She often urges fans to end the stigma around mental health. Getting help National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am) Mental well-being Fei Yue’s Online Counselling Service: eC2.sg website (Mon to Fri, 10am to 12pm, 2pm to 5pm) Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928/6509-0271 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (Mon to Fri, 2.30pm to 5pm)/ Tinkle Friend website (Mon to Thu, 2.30pm to 7pm and Fri, 2.30pm to 5pm) Counselling TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 (Daily, 10am to 10pm) More on this topic Related Story Social media use can trigger feelings of inferiority or inadequacy among young: Experts Related Story Some young people in S'pore creating pseudo accounts to handle toxic comments
SINGAPORE - With nearly 200,000 followers, 22-year-old TikTok influencer Tan Yeo Shi Lee is sometimes subjected to more scrutiny than his peers when he expresses himself on social media. The second-year Singapore Management University student said: "It can be as simple as 'this is not funny' or 'you're ugly' and you start wondering whether what they say is true." Mr Tan said: "Sadly, it can really make you more insecure, though for me, I try not to let it affect me too much and I trust the words of those close to me much more." Seeing picture-perfect people on social media has also made him more conscious about how he represents himself online. Mr Tan, who creates videos with his friend Ryan Han, added: "There are obviously many comments on TikTok about us, be it who's better-looking, funnier, has a greater personality and honestly, it does affect us quite a bit." Sharing the experience with his collaborator has helped both of them dull the sting of nasty comments. The Sunday Times spoke to 23 people including social workers, counsellors, psychologists and parents, who said the impact of social media on the mental health of the young in Singapore is concerning. And not just in terms of cyber bullying. Mr Cho Ming Xiu, founder and executive director of mental advocacy non-profit Campus PSY, said most young people find it difficult not to check on their friends on social media and compare their lives. He added: "You can't just do well in your studies. You have to be an all-rounder - you have to have a good CCA record, secure a good internship at a reputable company. "This constant competition emphasised by social media channels by their peers - when everyone is posting about good things - exacerbates competition, and young people find it stressful." Psychologists say the deluge of attractive posts can trigger feelings of inferiority or inadequacy, especially among young people with less experience to differentiate the social media world from real life. In a ministerial statement on the death last week of a River Valley High School student, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing highlighted the challenges young people face, including the social pressure of the online world in encouraging constant comparison. Mr Chan, who spoke on June 27, noted that young people are already dealing with family and peer relationships, expectations of themselves and their parents, and the difficulties of coping with the rigours of Singapore's education system. Mental health advocates and social agencies say young people are vulnerable to relying on social media for self-worth and self-image, even as they try to forge their own identity. More on this topic Related Story Some young people in S'pore creating pseudo accounts to handle toxic comments Related Story Mental health advocates welcome plans to have more school counsellors but say barriers remain Said assistant director of Touch Mental Wellness Andrea Chan: "Seeing good things can draw much envy and comparison, while identification with bad things can lead to a negative spiral." Getting likes is rewarding for the brain through an increase in dopamine similar to an adrenaline rush, added Dr Emily Ortega. And the reinforcement of pleasure-seeking posting on social media can result in addiction, said the head of psychology at the Singapore University of Social Science. Ms Lee Yi Ping, principal case manager and programme lead of Community Health Assessment Team, said: "In the event a young person feels disappointed or rejected by the responses received, the distress is often left unnoticed unless the young person openly talks about it with another trusted person." Support must come from family and friends who can constantly remind the young people that no matter how challenging a life circumstance can be, they can overcome it. She added: "With timely and appropriate medical and psycho-social interventions by formal sources of support like helping professionals, coupled with informal sources of support like family and friends, young people stand a better chance with recovery and reclaim of capability to pursue their ambitions in life." The experts say if these pressures are left unchecked, negative thoughts and feelings from social media can contribute to depression, anxiety and eating disorders. TikTok influencer Tan Yeo Shi Lee, 22, says comments from followers can make him feel insecure, but he also gains a lot of happiness from seeing how his videos make people laugh. PHOTO: COURTESY OF TAN YEO SHI LEE Senior counsellor at Jurong Pioneer Junior College Elaine Tay said she had young people tell her that they sought help after an influencer shared that they were seeing a therapist or seeking help for their mental health issues. She said: "I have students who say 'I was following this influencer and he shared that he's going through depression and I would like to get help to get better as well'." Meanwhile, more mental health advocacy groups and agencies like Re: Mind Singapore have taken to social media in the past five years to provide bite-sized information to educate the public about mental health and how to seek help. In a dialogue on July 30 between the Education Minister and students from secondary schools and junior colleges, three young people shared that social media had helped sensitise them to mental health issues. Mr Steve Loh, founder of e-buddy Myloh, an app which provides evidence-based psychological advice, self-care strategies and helps tracks mood changes, note that many young people often need support in the middle of the night when they may not have access to immediate human care. He said: "From our focus group discussions with young people, we find that there are those who wake up at 2am, with a panic attack, and all they need to do is talk and find something that can help them." More on this topic Related Story 5 celebrities who spoke out about their mental health struggles Related Story MOE looking at buddy systems to help students cope with problems: Chan Chun Sing The bottom line is that social media can be used healthily, experts said, if young people are taught how to navigate the pressures of the online world. Mr Tan said that social media has been a great way to stay connected with people and make new friends. The TikTok influencer added that the platform has also allowed him to have an outlet to express his creativity. He said: "I do gain a lot of happiness from seeing how my videos make people laugh. It keeps me motivated to make more." Ms Tamlyn Richards, 23, who graduated from James Cook University this year and has over 8,000 followers on TikTok, said: "I've learnt to take a break from social media when I feel it's starting to distract me from present moments and when I start comparing likes or my own appearances to others." More on this topic Related Story TikTok to work with Govt, non-profits to train youths to be mental health content creators Related Story Why you should start hiding likes on Facebook and Instagram Getting help National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am) Mental well-being Fei Yue’s Online Counselling Service: eC2.sg website (Mon to Fri, 10am to 12pm, 2pm to 5pm) Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928/6509-0271 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (Mon to Fri, 2.30pm to 5pm)/ Tinkle Friend website (Mon to Thu, 2.30pm to 7pm and Fri, 2.30pm to 5pm) Counselling TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 (Daily, 10am to 10pm)
SINGAPORE - Parents, schools and society are ill equipped to deal with young people who are struggling with mental health issues, said President Halimah Yacob in a Facebook post on Friday (July 23), as she called for more to be done to support and understand the youth. She noted that the impact of mental illness when the onset is at a very young age is usually a lot more severe than when someone gets it much later in life. Her post comes after the alleged murder of a 13-year-old boy by a 16-year-old boy at River Valley High School on Monday. It was revealed in court that the 16-year-old had been referred to the Institute of Mental Health two years ago because of a suicide attempt. Said Madam Halimah: "Attempted suicides are a real cry for help. We don't know the full details, particularly whether he had continued to receive psychiatric help or medication in order to deal with his mental health after that episode. "We also don't know whether it was due to school or there are other factors affecting him as the causes of mental breakdowns are numerous and sometimes there are more than one factor at play." She added: "We do know however that parents, schools and our society are ill equipped to deal with this situation." For parents, the great difficulty is in not knowing whether the child is perhaps going through a growth phase, as "all adolescents with growth hormones raging through their bodies sometimes act out", or whether it is because of something much deeper, she said. For teachers, already overloaded with work, it is not possible to delve deeply into the issues affecting one child, which will require close monitoring, observation and engagement, said Madam Halimah, noting that there are school counsellors but they may not be well trained on issues affecting mental health. She also pointed out that society imposes high expectations on the young, particularly on those who seem to be doing well academically. "We expect to see a linear progression in their performance with no interruption whatsoever, like some well-oiled machinery. Parents compare all the time. We often say that a well-developed, healthy child is better than a troubled child who seems to be shooting all As but is suffering, but we actually send different signals to them," she said. Sometimes, children with mental health issues may need some time off from school, but the dilemma for parents is what to do with the child at home for a whole year, she said. She questioned if there were programmes to make it easier for parents to ensure that the child with mental health issues staying at home is meaningfully engaged and not just receiving psychiatric treatment or medication. Madam Halimah also noted that parents fear the stigma that mental health attracts. She said: "There is still so much ignorance, stereotype and prejudice in our society against people with mental health issues that parents fear doing more harm than good to their children's future by seeking treatment that they delay with disastrous consequences." More on this topic Related Story S'pore schools offer mental health support to students affected by River Valley High School incident Related Story New mental health service launched to help young people cope amid Covid-19 pandemic She also said schools need a lot more resources and support to help students with mental health issues. One way would be for them to partner social service agencies dealing with mental wellness, which could help to run programmes that educate students on mental well-being, she said. "Some institutes of higher learning have also embedded programmes on mental health to support their students that are quite effective, and which they can share with schools. We could also study the experience of other countries with more developed systems of support for our reference," she said. "It takes a tragedy like this to start us thinking deeply again about the mental health of our young. Most of our children can cope, are resilient and will grow up well. But not all children are the same. Some do need more help and not just from the school but from everyone." More on this topic Related Story S'pore has to step up efforts to protect children's mental health early: President Halimah Related Story A lost or more resilient generation? 6 ways Covid-19 changed childhood in Singapore Getting help National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am) Mental well-being Fei Yue’s Online Counselling Service: eC2.sg website (Mon to Fri, 10am to 12pm, 2pm to 5pm) Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928/6509-0271 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (Mon to Fri, 2.30pm to 5pm)/ Tinkle Friend website (Mon to Thu, 2.30pm to 7pm and Fri, 2.30pm to 5pm) Counselling TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 (Daily, 10am to 10pm)
PARIS (AFP) - Japan's Naomi Osaka said Wednesday (May 26) that she will not take part in press conferences at the forthcoming French Open, believing that some post-match inquests are little more than "kicking a person while they're down". The world No. 2, a four-time Grand Slam title winner, says she will donate the fines she will accrue to mental health charities. "I am writing this to say that I am not going to do any press during Roland Garros," the 23-year-old announced on Twitter. "I have often felt that people have no regard for athletes' mental health and this rings true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one. "We're often sat there and asked questions that we've been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I am not going to subject myself to people who doubt me." Under tennis tournament rules, all players are required to hold press conferences after each match. They also perform media duties before a tournament. Osaka regularly packs out media rooms due to her standing in the sport and her charismatic appeal to reporters. She fields questions in Japanese and English and is regarded as one of the world's most marketable stars. Last year she made US$37 million (S$49 million), more than any other female athlete. She added on Wednesday: "I believe the whole situation is kicking a person while they are down and I don't understand the reasoning behind it." The French Open gets underway in Paris on Sunday. Osaka has yet to get beyond the third round at Roland Garros.
SINGAPORE - The adoption of work-from-home arrangements last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the mental stressors faced by workers here, especially with the blurring of work-life boundaries. As such, building workers' mental resilience is critical, stressed Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad on Thursday (April 29) at the launch of this year's National Workplace Safety and Health Campaign. The hybrid event was held at the Trade Association Hub in Jurong and streamed online. "Workers must take time to take care not just of their physical health, but also of their mental well-being," he added. The annual campaign, organised by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council, entails year-long outreach efforts to promote safety and health in workplaces. On mental well-being, a new campaign in September will see healthcare institutions and agencies share best practices to build workers' mental resilience. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will continue to assist firms in developing such support at their workplaces, said Mr Zaqy. The WSH council will also be developing training workshops and an online resource page on mental health matters. In addition, a tripartite award on mental well-being will be introduced next year to recognise individuals and companies that have adopted exemplary practices. This year, employers and workers are also called to take a pause from work to care for their safety and health. This can be a scheduled break of 30 minutes or more, where workers can do stretching exercises, perform safety checks or identify hazards around them. WSH Council chairman John Ng said: "When conducted regularly, these actions become habitual and can improve the worker's health and heighten his awareness of unsafe acts or conditions in his work environment in the long run." Two other campaigns for workplace safety will run throughout the year to address the top two contributors to non-fatal workplace injuries in recent years. One, targeting high-risk sectors, will be launched in June to address slips, trips and falls. Employers and workers will pick up best practices and set goals to reduce incidents. A Safe Hands Campaign is also planned for March next year, where companies will be encouraged to take steps to prevent machinery incidents. On Thursday, Mr Zaqy called on employers to send workers for regular training, assess risks and carry out periodic checks on equipment and procedures. Fostering a "no-blame culture" will also encourage workers to speak up when they see anything amiss, he pointed out. More on this topic Related Story One year after S'pore's circuit breaker, people socialising less, working more Related Story Re-entry blues: How to manage higher stress and anxiety with the reopening of workplaces He also urged workers to report unsafe conditions and near-misses to their supervisors. Mr Zaqy said machinery safety, as well as slips, trips and falls were two "hot spots" that accounted for nearly half of all major injuries last year. Citing an inspection on a manufacturing firm last week where MOM officers uncovered several lapses, including the poor maintenance of machinery, Mr Zaqy said such safety lapses can lead to serious injuries or fatalities. His ministry has also observed an emerging issue of more untrained personnel operating machinery. For slip, trip and fall incidents, six out of 10 of those injured were cleaners and labourers, he highlighted. More on this topic Related Story MOM to carry out 400 worksite safety inspections on top of routine checks amid spate of accidents Related Story Spike in workplace injuries sparks renewed call for more vigilance One in five of those injured slipped, tripped or fell as they were walking, according to a survey of the 26,000 such workplace incidents between 2012 and 2019. The most common location where these accidents happened were at stairs or steps. Mandatory workplace safety and health training will be rolled out in stages for selected sectors. For instance, all cleaners will undergo such training from next year to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. WSH Council's Mr Ng said: "Although Singapore has gradually resumed most of its business activities and safe management measures may have been relaxed, we must continue to do our utmost to ensure that no one gets hurt at work."
SINGAPORE - Having struggled with mental health issues themselves, six young people have teamed up to create a community resource that they hope will support youth in need. Mentored by Minister of State for Education and Social and Family Development Sun Xueling, they are gathering stories and quotes from various segments of the youth population, such as those in universities, polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education as well as young working adults. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
SINGAPORE - Parents today can tap on a variety of digital resources to better support their children's mental health, said Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua. These include the Share-the-Care video series by Families for Life, which covers topics such as building strong family relationships, as well as his ministry's Positive Parenting Programme (Triple P) that outlines evidence-based techniques to promote children's psychological, social and emotional competence. On top of that, the Temasek Foundation and Agency for Integrated Care has developed a microsite to address mental health challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Chua said. Mr Chua was responding to Ms Carrie Tan (Nee Soon GRC), who had asked about inter-ministry efforts to promote youth mental health awareness among parents. On the reach of the Triple P, he said more than 30,000 parents had benefited from the programme to date. After three months, parents reported a 20 per cent reduction in their children's scores for problematic behaviour, as well as their own parenting stress scores. He added that more than 1,500 individuals - including young people, parents and mental health professionals - also came together to start the Youth Mental Well-Being Network last year. This network is supported by the Ministry for Social and Family Development, as well as the Health and Education ministries. "We have parents coming back to tell us that they now have greater parenting competence," he added. Ms Tan then asked if there are plans to take such programmes offline and into the real world, especially for parents who may not "naturally gravitate" towards finding information online. Online platforms are being heavily used at present given the ongoing pandemic, Mr Chua replied, but added that his ministry will nevertheless work with community partners as much as possible. More on this topic Related Story Singapore has to step up efforts to protect children's mental health early: President Halimah Related Story 250 families in Jalan Besar to get help with mental health issues and digital literacy
MPs yesterday called for more support for caregivers, the majority of whom are women who have made sacrifices to look after children, the elderly and people with disabilities. On the second day of the Budget debate, various suggestions were put forward to help this group, including providing career counselling for caregivers to start and return to work, tapping community resources to reduce caregivers' workload, and giving them more mental health support. Figures from the Report on Labour Force in Singapore 2019 showed that about 133,500 people in the resident population cited caregiving responsibilities as the main reason for having to leave the workforce, noted Ms Ng Ling Ling (Ang Mo Kio GRC). Nine in 10 of them were women, and the majority of the women were aged between 40 and 59 years. Almost seven in 10 were out of the workforce for more than five years. "Some of the most common problems that women caregivers experienced is a setback in their own health and career," said Ms Ng, who added that female caregivers also struggle with uncertainty about their future and financial adequacy in their old age. She welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat's announcement that a new Singapore Together Alliance for Action for caregivers of those with disabilities will be formed, and called for this to be expanded to female caregivers. The alliance will co-create solutions to improve support for caregivers. Career counselling and training support should also be given to caregivers who would like to return to work or start work, including taking on part-time or flexi-work arrangements, said Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC). "Earned incomes contribute to household finances and retirement adequacies, and improve the quality of life for families," she said. Ms Pereira also called for more mental health professionals to be trained to help those facing mental health issues, and to help maintain caregivers' mental health. Caregiving services can also be made more accessible to families, said Ms Cheryl Chan (East Coast GRC). For instance, those who can provide part-time caregiving services can be connected to families living near them, which can help workers to balance family care duties while supplementing their income at the same time. Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday that the authorities are studying the possibility of piloting night-time childcare at a Community Link (ComLink) site for low-income families who need help with caregiving arrangements. He was responding to Mr Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC) in a written parliamentary reply. Correction note: An earlier version of this story attributed the data on those in the resident population who cited caregiving responsibilities as the main reason for having to leave the workforce to a 2020 report. It should be a 2019 report instead. 133,500 Number of people in the resident population who cited caregiving responsibilities as the main reason for having to leave the workforce, according to figures from the Report on Labour Force in Singapore 2020, noted Ms Ng Ling Ling (Ang Mo Kio GRC). The ComLink initiative, started in 2019, coordinates help for families across multiple agencies.
SINGAPORE - The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the academic routines and social activities of many children and youth, and has had a negative impact on their mental health. Strengthening mental health resilience is all the more important during this period, said President Halimah Yacob on Wednesday morning (Dec 2), adding that Singapore has to step up efforts to protect the mental health of children here early. She was speaking at the virtual opening ceremony of the 24th World Congress of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP), where she outlined several strategies the Republic has adopted to bolster mental health support for its young. Among other things, they involve collaboration with different stakeholders, promoting mental health literacy in children and youth, and improving access to mental health resources. Highlighting youth suicide as a particular growing concern, Madam Halimah said different stakeholders such as hospitals, schools and community partners, have stepped up efforts to work together to support those at risk of suicide. "We must tackle it by addressing the potential causes, especially when mental health conditions like anxiety and depression may intensify the problem," said the president. Madam Halimah said besides placing great emphasis on preventive care and focusing intervention upstream, Singapore has also made efforts to improve public education and mental health literacy in children and youth. "It is essential to equip children with knowledge on common mental health conditions and ways to manage them, as well as develop in them empathy and care towards persons with mental health conditions," she said. This is why mental health education will be included in a revised curriculum to be progressively implemented from next year, and all schools here will establish peer support structures by 2022 to strengthen current peer support efforts, she added. Online initiatives have also been rolled out to enhance youths' access to mental health resources. This includes mindline.sg, an online portal with mental health resources that can also assess users' emotional well-being. Madam Halimah said the Republic adopts a whole-of-society approach in building a safety net for those living with mental health conditions. It includes training schools and social service agencies to identify and manage at-risk children with severe emotional and behavioural problems, offering free mental health checks as well as rolling out coordinated mental health and social support services for at-risk youth. However, many with mental health conditions do not seek treatment in a timely manner, noted Madam Halimah. The 2016 Singapore Mental Health Study found that more than three-quarters of those living with mental health conditions did not seek treatment. "The delay in treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder was 11 years; four years for bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse; and two years for anxiety disorder," she said. Various studies have shown that social stigma and a lack of knowledge about mental disorders are two common reasons for treatment delay. More on this topic Related Story A lost or more resilient generation? 6 ways Covid-19 changed childhood in Singapore Related Story Youth with mental health problems stay strong under Covid-19 Madam Halimah said: "Mental health conditions that are left untreated will impair children's development, and undermine their ability to achieve their fullest potential. "It is therefore important that we step up efforts to protect the mental health of our children early." The virtual congress will run till Friday with discussions on the importance of early intervention in the child and adolescent stages for better mental health over a lifetime. More on this topic Related Story Parenting in a pandemic: How to take care of yourself and your kids
SINGAPORE - An online chatbot is now available to those feeling stressed amid the Covid-19 pandemic, to help them build mental resilience and learn self-care. Users are also promised anonymity when using the "emotionally intelligent" chatbot platform Wysa, which is available on the latest version of Web-app service mindline.sg. The new version of mindline.sg was launched on Thursday (Oct 22) by the Ministry of Health Office for Healthcare Transformation (MOHT), Ministry of Social and Family Development, National Council of Social Service and Institute of Mental Health. The website consolidates access to local stress management and coping resources, and directs users to useful hotline numbers. It also has a well-being self-assessment tool to help users with their healthcare needs. IMH senior consultant Dr Jimmy Lee said of the website: "We hope that by providing an anonymous and safe space, and availing users to the self-assessment tool with needs-matching to resources, we can reduce the barriers to help-seeking, and empower them to take the first step to self-management and regaining their emotional and mental well-being." The agencies worked with health-tech start-up Touchkin to bring its chatbot Wysa to the mindline.sg site for free for a year, as it is usually a paid service. The Wysa platform will also give users access to meditation, breathing, yoga, motivational conversations and exercises. Users will not need to provide their personal information. More on this topic Related Story New task force to tackle mental health needs of Singaporeans amid pandemic Dr Loke Wai Chiong, clinical director of programmes and head of integrated health promotion at MOHT said it would continue to observe the usage of mindline.sg, gather information and make improvements. This could include adding specialised services for specific population groups such as young people, seniors and healthcare workers. He added: "We will also work towards building more culturally contextualised content, responsive to the evolving needs of the community. In the longer term, we hope that this innovation can increase public health capability, and create high impact at a relatively low cost." Mindline.sg was first rolled out to the public in June 2020. More on this topic Related Story More in Singapore seek help for mental health issues amid Covid-19 pandemic Related Story Youth with mental health problems stay strong under Covid-19 Ms E. Koh, who declined to give her full name, turned to mindline.sg after losing her job as an administrative manager when her organisation restructured. "I was getting anxious because at my age, it could be difficult to find a new job, especially at a time like this. A friend recommended mindline.sg, to help me manage my emotions better," said the 49-year-old. While seeking advice via the website, Ms Koh also found out more about skills upgrading and retraining as well as volunteering opportunities. She is now thinking of taking up courses in befriending to become a volunteer and reach out to socially isolated elderly people. Helplines National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Institute of Mental Health's Mobile Crisis Service: 6389-2222 Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928 Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788