How do you feel today?
Amazing
Good
Meh
Bad
Awful
1 in 7 has experienced mental disorder in their life
How many people are affected by mental health issues?
What mental health illness do we see often?
Why are mental health issue caused by?
Possible external factors
- Stress
- Physical abuse
- Substance abuse
- Certain medication
- Personal issues
- Traumatic incident
- Childhood trauma
Possible biological factors
- Genetics
- Certain personality traits
- Chemical imbalance in the brain
- Abnormal size of some parts of the brain
- Brain neurotransmitter dysfunction
Symptoms of common mental health issues
Select relatable symptoms
Persistent sadness, or feeling down or gloomy
Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
Weight loss
weight gain
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; or sleeping excessively
sleeping excessively
Feeling agitated or restless
Feeling tired and lacking the energy
Feelings of worthlessness
Difficulty concentrating or having trouble thinking
Impaired social functioning
Apprehension
A sense of helplessness
Worry, repeated negative thoughts
Muscle tension and weakness
Pounding heart
Difficulty breathing
Gambling often
Lying to hide gambling
more irritable as usual
Feeling of guilt
Recklessly spending money
Euphoria at times
behaviour change, ignoring consequences and social norms
impaired social functioning
Inability to stop drinking
Secret drinking
Feeling guilt after drinking
Alcohol tolerance
excessive drinking pointed out by closed ones
excessive drinking
drinking despite harmful effects
neglecting family, work, or hobbies for alcohol
risky drinking
obsessions
obsessions, fears
compulsive behaviour
diminished appetite
sleep disorder
mood swings
provoke arguments
decreased need for sleep
Possible diagnosis
| Common Name | Name | Probability |
|---|
Why is mental health important?
Mental health affects us not only mentally, but physically as well
How is this related to me?
Hover over blue sad human
Mental health illness can happen to anyone
This could be
- your parents
- your grandparents
- your siblings
- your cousins
- your aunties and uncles
- your child
- your spouse
- your best friend
- your teachers
- your students
- your classmates
- a stranger you pass by
or even YOU
Stigma
Stigma and discrimination:
- is not helping anyone so we should encourage and support instead
- can worsen mental health problems
- delay getting help and treatment
- delay their recovery
- can trap people in a cycle of illness
Myths about mental health issues
Mental illnesses are not real medical illnesses
like heart disease and diabetes.
People who have them are just crazy.
Mental disorders are medical illnesses just like
heart disease and diabetes.
Research shows there are genetic and biological causes
for mental illness,
and they can be treated effectively,
especially with early detection and intervention.
Stress causes mental illness..
The specific causes of mental illness are not yet fully understood.
Stress and factors such as genetic predisposition and abnormalities
in brain chemicals are possible contributing factors.
People with mental illness are violent and dangerous.
People with mental illness are no more violent than the general population.
In fact, they are far more likely to be the victims of violence
than to be violent themselves.
People with mental illness are poor and/or less intelligent.
Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone
regardless of intelligence, social class or income level.
Famous people with various mental illnesses include
mathematician John Nash, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill,
Ludwig van Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh and Ernest Hemingway.
If I have a mental illness, it is a sign of weakness and it is my fault.
A mental illness is an illness, not a character flaw.
It has nothing to do with being weak or lacking will-power.
Although people with mental illness can play a big part in their own recovery,
they did not choose to become ill.
People with mental illnesses cannot be helped.
The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective.
With appropriate medication, psychotherapy and rehabilitation services,
most people who live with serious mental illnesses can significantly
reduce the impact of their illness and find a satisfying measure
of achievement and independence. A key concept is to expertise
in developing strategies to manage the illness process.
Mental illnesses are uncommon.
Four of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide are mental disorders.
Among developed nations, major depression is the leading cause of disability.
Also near the top of these rankings are
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Take action
Helping people with mental illness
You are aware that someone close to you may be suffering from a mental illness.
This is how you can lend a helping hand.
- Learn about the mental illness and its recovery process
- Listen, and be respectful and supportive
- Understand the person's perspectives and offer hope
- Encourage the person to seek and sustain professional treatment
- Do not dismiss the person's emotions or ignore comments about suicide
Road to recovery
Recovery is unique to each individual.
Some common themes of recovery include:
- Hope
- Having strong relationships with others
- Taking control of one's life
- Accepting responsibility for personal wellness
- Having meaning and purpose in life
- Developing coping strategies
Ways to get help
Take the first step by acknowledging that you may have a mental health condition.
This is how you get help and support.
Consult a doctor or mental health professional
There is Mood Disorders Clinic
Addiction Management
Psychogeriatric Clinic and
Early Psychosis Intervention Programme.
You can check out
Institution of Mental Health (IMH)
for more information
Talk to family members and friends
Talk to someone you are close to
like your loved ones and friends.
Tell them how you are feeling and that
you want to improve from
your current situation.
Find support in online forums
Sometimes talking to other people
facing mental health issues as well
can help you find answers.
You can check out this
online forums
Community Health Assessment Team
Join a peer support group
If you are afraid of facing
mental health issues alone,
you can join a peer support group
and interact with people in similar situations
Depression and Bipolar Support Groups
Call helplines for mental health
If you want to talk to someone,
here are some hotlines for you.
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
Tel: 1800-221 4444 (24 hours)
National Addictions Management Service
Tel: 6-RECOVER (6-7326837) (24 hours)
National Council of Social Service (NCSS)
