Mental disorders now Singapore's top health burden for adolescents, says Lancet study
Mental disorders have emerged as the primary cause of disability and death among children aged 10 to 14 in Singapore, according to a new study published by Lancet Public Health on 28 May.
The study, part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 series, shows that the impact of mental distress on overall population health in Singapore is the highest in Southeast Asia.
The report estimated that in 2021, mental disorders affected 12.8% of males and 11.7% of females in Singapore.
That year, a total of 653,000 mental disorder diagnoses were made, including a threefold increase among those aged over 70. The most common conditions were anxiety and depression, affecting approximately 185,000 and 144,000 individuals, respectively.
According to the paper, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to this increase, with widespread isolation, uncertainty, and lifestyle disruption exacerbating mental health struggles across age groups.
However, greater public awareness and reduced stigma may also have led to more diagnoses and treatment-seeking behaviour.
Lead author Associate Professor Marie Ng from the National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), noted that social media exposure and academic pressures are fuelling mental distress in youths.
Shifting family structures and increasing social isolation in modern, urban societies also contribute to worsening mental health outcomes.
Among ASEAN nations, Singapore showed a 75.6% rise in the number of mental disorder cases from 1990 to 2021. Although the age-standardised prevalence remained relatively stable over that period, the absolute number of cases rose significantly due to population growth and ageing.
Mental disorders were responsible for 9.2% of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Singapore in 2021, placing them among the top five causes of disease burden in the country.
DALYs measure the overall years lost due to illness, disability, or premature death. The highest burden was observed in adolescents aged 10–14, with mental disorders accounting for 28.2% of all DALYs in this group.
Professor Alina Rodriguez from NUS Medicine, a co-author of the paper, highlighted that these findings mirror clinical observations in schools, where mental health issues often emerge early and—if left untreated—can lead to prolonged suffering and lost life potential.
The ASEAN-wide study, involving researchers from ten member states, revealed that the region experienced a 70% increase in mental disorder cases since 1990, with a total of 80.4 million cases in 2021.
Anxiety disorders were most common, followed by depressive disorders. The burden was especially high among women and young people, but significant growth was also seen among the elderly.
Singapore's rapidly ageing population has contributed to rising elderly mental health cases. With advancing age and worsening physical health, older adults often face depression, reinforcing the need to integrate mental and physical care services for this group.
Self-harm, another major concern, accounted for 47% of all injury-related deaths in Singapore, especially among individuals aged 20 to 24. While the rate of self-harm is lower than in Japan and South Korea, the trend is alarming, particularly due to its disproportionate impact on young women.
Falls were the second leading cause of injury death in Singapore, responsible for 22% of such deaths. Regionally, road injuries topped the list, followed by falls, self-harm, drowning, and interpersonal violence.
Despite improvements in cardiovascular care and low smoking rates—Singapore has the lowest prevalence and mortality from cardiovascular diseases in ASEAN—the city-state faces critical challenges in mental health. Cardiovascular diseases, however, still represent the second leading cause of death in Singapore, with more than 385,000 affected in 2021.
The paper underscores the need for urgent, sustained policy attention to mental health, especially among youths and the elderly. It calls for multisectoral interventions, improved mental health literacy, and the development of comprehensive, community-based support systems.
As ASEAN moves toward its post-2025 health development agenda, this study emphasises that mental health must be prioritised. The authors recommend regional cooperation, investment in mental health infrastructure, and culturally adapted public education to address growing needs.
Support services for mental well-being in Singapore
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, support is available. Below is a list of helplines and counselling services in Singapore that offer assistance across a range of needs.
24-hour mental health helplines
Institute of Mental Health (IMH) – Mental Health Helpline: 6389 2222
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
– 24-hour support: 1-767
or 9151 1767
(CareText via WhatsApp)
General mental health support
Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) : 1800 283 7019
Silver Ribbon Singapore : 6386 1928
CHAT (Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health) : 6493 6500 / 6493 6501
Women's Helpline (Aware)
– For women in need: 1800 777 5555
(Weekdays, 10am–6pm)
Counselling services
Touchline (Touch Community Services) – General counselling: 1800 377 2252
Touch Care Line – For caregivers: 6804 6555
Counselling and Care Centre : 6536 6366
We Care Community Services – Specialising in addiction recovery and support: 3165 8017
Clarity Singapore
– Mental health support grounded in Catholic values: 6757 7990
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