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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Mental disorders significantly impact youth aged 10-14 in Singapore: Lancet study
The rise of social media and high academic pressure have both been linked to increased mental health issues among young people in Singapore. ST FILE PHOTO SINGAPORE - Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability and death among 10- to 14-year-olds in Singapore, while the impact of mental distress on population health here is the highest in Asean , according to a new paper published in medical journal Lancet Public Health on May 28. In 2021, the prevalence of mental disorders here was estimated at 12.8 per cent among males and 11.7 per cent among females. Altogether, 653,000 diagnoses of mental disorders were made in Singapore that year, including among those above 70 years of age, an age group that experienced a threefold rise from 1990 in the number of cases. Anxiety and depression, triggered in large part by the Covid-19 pandemic, were the most common disorders, affecting approximately 185,000 and 144,000 individuals, respectively, the paper said. The paper was among four studies examining – for the first time – Asean's public health crisis in mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, smoking and injuries. They are part of the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, a large-scale effort examining health trends worldwide. The series of papers is the first joint research collaboration between NUS' Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) and the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), which leads the GBD study. Explaining the mental health burden on adolescents and the population here, lead author Marie Ng, an associate professor at NUS Medicine and affiliate associate professor at IHME, said the rise of social media and high academic pressure have both been linked to increased mental health issues among young people. In addition, there are the shifts in the social fabric, including family breakdowns and social isolation, which are becoming more common in developed and Westernised societies, she said. On the other end of the spectrum, as the population ages rapidly and people live longer, the number of older adults with mental disorders has also risen. 'Mental and physical health are closely connected; with weakening physical health, depression is common among the elderly as Singapore's population ages,' Prof Ng said. The pandemic also triggered increased feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and isolation across all age groups. At the same time, however, improved public awareness and decreasing stigma have led to more people recognising symptoms and seeking help, she added. Professor Alina Rodriguez from the psychological medicine department at NUS Medicine, a collaborator on the paper on mental health, said the data reinforces what is seen at schools. Clinically, mental health challenges often emerge early in life and, if unaddressed, can lead to years of lost potential. Asean had an estimated 80.4 million cases of mental disorders in 2021, reflecting an increase of approximately 70 per cent since 1990, and anxiety disorders were the region's most common mental disorder. The actual number does not reflect the true need, as many would be borderline cases, and stigma prevents people from seeking care, said Prof Rodriguez. Meanwhile, self-harm was the leading cause of injury deaths in Singapore, accounting for 47 per cent of all injury deaths, with the highest incidence rate seen among youth aged 20 to 24. Mental disorders are a major contributor. More incidents of self-harm occurred among females in Singapore than males in 2021. The incidence in Singapore was lower, however, than the rates in neighbouring high-income Asian countries Japan and South Korea. Falls were the second-leading cause of injury death after self-harm, accounting for 22 per cent of all deaths from injury here. In the region, the largest number of injury deaths was attributed to road injuries, followed by falls, self-harm, drowning and interpersonal violence. Self-harm was among the top three leading causes of injury-related mortality in Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Vietnam. As for cardiovascular diseases, Singapore had the lowest prevalence and mortality in the Asean region, and outperformed trends in global and high-income countries in the reduction of cardiovascular disease mortality. However, cardiovascular diseases are still a major population health issue here, given the ageing population and rising risk factors. It is the second-leading cause of death in Singapore, and the number of cases has increased by nearly 200 per cent in the last 30 years. In 2021, more than 385,000 people in Singapore were affected by cardiovascular diseases. The top five risk factors were high blood pressure, dietary risks (for example, high sodium, low fibre, low fruit), high LDL cholesterol, high fasting plasma glucose and tobacco use. Obesity is the fastest-growing risk factor. In Singapore, the smoking prevalence among males aged 15 and above was 20.2 per cent, significantly lower than the Asean average of 48.4 per cent. Among females, smoking prevalence stood at 6.56 per cent, which is higher than the regional female average of 4.47 per cent, and ranked the fourth-highest in the region. 'The findings present a nuanced picture of Singapore's health progress. While we've made remarkable strides in areas like cardiovascular care and tobacco control, the growing burden of mental health conditions and injuries, particularly self-harm and falls, calls for urgent and sustained attention,' said Prof Ng. Helplines Mental well-being Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) Counselling Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990 Online resources (for those aged 13 to 25) (for those aged 12 to 25) Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Online Citizen
3 days ago
- Health
- Online Citizen
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
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Lancet study shows mental disorders significantly impact youth aged 10-14 in Singapore
The rise of social media and high academic pressure have both been linked to increased mental health issues among young people in Singapore. ST FILE PHOTO SINGAPORE - Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability and death among 10 to 14-year-olds in Singapore , while the impact of mental distress on population health here is the highest in Asean , according to a new paper published in the medical journal Lancet Public Health on May 28. In 2021, the prevalence of mental disorders here was estimated at 12.8 per cent among males and 11.7 per cent among females. Altogether , 653,000 diagnoses of mental disorders were made in Singapore that year, including among those more than 70 years of age, an age group that experienced a three-fold rise in the number of cases. Anxiety and depression , triggered in large part by the Covid-19 pandemic , were the most common disorders , affecting approximately 185,000 and 144,000 individuals respectively, it said. The paper was among four studies examining, for the first time, Asean's public health crisis in mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, smoking, and injuries. They are part of the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, a large-scale effort examining health trends worldwide. The series of papers is the first joint research collaboration between Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) and the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), which leads the GBD study. Explaining the mental health burden on adolescents and the population here, lead author Marie Ng, Associate Professor, NUS Medicine, and Affiliate Associate Professor at IHME, said the rise of social media and high academic pressure have both been linked to increased mental health issues among young people. In addition, there are the shifts in the social fabric, including family breakdowns and social isolation, which are becoming more common in developed and Westernised societies, she said. On the other end of the spectrum, as the population ages rapidly and people live longer, the number of older adults with mental disorders has also risen . 'Mental and physical health are closely connected; with weakening physical health, depression is common among the elderly as Singapore's population ages,' she said. The pandemic also triggered increased feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and isolation across all age groups. At the same time, however, improved public awareness and decreasing stigma have led to more people recognising symptoms and seeking help, Prof Ng added. Professor Alina Rodriguez from the psychological medicine department at NUS Medicine, a collaborator on the paper on mental health, said the data reinforces what they see at schools. Clinically, mental health challenges often emerge early in life and, if unaddressed, can lead to years of lost potential. Asean had an estimated 80.4 million cases of mental disorders in 2021, reflecting an increase of approximately 70 per cent since 1990, and anxiety disorders were the region's most common mental disorder. The actual number does not reflect the true need, as many would be borderline cases, and stigma prevents people from seeking care, said Prof Rodriguez. Meanwhile, self-harm was a leading cause of injury deaths in Singapore, accounting for 47 per cent of all injury deaths, with the highest incidence rate seen among youth aged 20 to 24 years. Mental disorders are a major contributor. More incidents of self-harm occurred among females in Singapore than males in 2021. The incidence in Singapore was lower, however, than the rates in neighbouring high-income Asian countries Japan and South Korea. Falls were the second leading cause of injury death after self-harm, accounting for 22 per cent of all deaths from injury here. In the region, the largest number of injury deaths was attributed to road injuries, followed by falls, self-harm, drowning and interpersonal violence. Self-harm was among the top three leading causes of injury-related mortality in Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and Vietnam. As for cardiovascular diseases, Singapore had the lowest prevalence and mortality in the Asean region, and outperformed trends in global and high-income countries in the reduction of cardiovascular disease mortality. However, cardiovascular diseases are still a major population health issue here, given the ageing population and rising risk factors. It is the second leading cause of death in Singapore, and the number of cases has increased by nearly 200 per cent in the last 30 years. In 2021, over 385,000 people in Singapore were affected by cardiovascular diseases. The top five risk factors were high blood pressure, dietary risks (e.g., high sodium, low fiber, low fruit), high LDL cholesterol, high fasting plasma glucose, and tobacco use. Obesity is the fastest growing risk factor. In Singapore, the smoking prevalence among males aged 15 and above was 20.2 per cent, significantly lower than the Asean average of 48.4 per cent. Among females, smoking prevalence stood at 6.56 per cent, which is higher than the regional female average of 4.47 per cent, and ranked the fourth highest in the region. 'The findings present a nuanced picture of Singapore's health progress. While we've made remarkable strides in areas like cardiovascular care and tobacco control, the growing burden of mental health conditions and injuries, particularly self-harm and falls, calls for urgent and sustained attention,' said Prof Ng. Helplines Mental well-being Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) Counselling Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990 Online resources (for those aged 13 to 25) (for those aged 12 to 25) Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Public health milestone
Listen to article According to a 2017 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, trachoma ranked as the fifth most common cause of blindness in Pakistan. The WHO identified the country as a priority target for its Global Elimination of Trachoma 2020 (GET2020) initiative, as the disease was endemic across four provinces of Pakistan and nearly 30,000 people were living with trichiasis – an advanced stage of trachoma. After an almost two-decade-long fight against the disease, WHO officially recognised Pakistan as having eliminated trachoma as a public health concern in 2024. This milestone has now been acknowledged on an international platform, as Pakistan has been presented with an award for its successful elimination of the disease during the 78th World Health Assembly. Pakistan's sustained efforts towards the successful elimination of trachoma reflect the government's unwavering dedication towards easing public healthcare concerns. Not only is this a remarkable achievement for the country's healthcare sector, but with trachoma reduced to levels that no longer pose significant risks to the population, Pakistan also joins the ranks of just 19 nations worldwide to have achieved this status. Trachoma is an infectious disease of the eye spread by flies that breed in human faeces, fingers, hands, clothing or bedding. It spreads quite rapidly through contaminated objects and physical contact with infected persons. Therefore, it is more likely to spread in developing countries with overcrowded living conditions and poor sanitation. The curtailment of trachoma ultimately means there have been improvements in public hygiene, sanitation systems and public health services. As part of WHO's global efforts to eliminate trachoma, Pakistan also implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy, which integrates key elements of trachoma prevention and control. This success underscores the country's broader commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and tackling preventable diseases through sustained interventions and global collaborations.
Japan Forward
19-05-2025
- Health
- Japan Forward
Health Japan 21: A New Navigation Chart for the Super-Aged Society
このページを 日本語 で読む In 2025, Japan reaches a pivotal turning point. The postwar baby boomer generation, born between 1947 and 1949 and known in Japan as the Dankai generation, will all be 75 years or older. By 2050, Japan's population is projected to decline to 100 million. With that, only 51% of the Japanese will remain within the working-age demographic. The nation is now embarking on an unprecedented voyage into a super-aged society that no other country has ever experienced. As the country prepares for this new departure, a national initiative has been launched to support the health of its citizens through a collective societal effort. This is the third term of "Health Japan 21," which began in 2024. Its vision is bold and inclusive: "Creating a sustainable society where all citizens can live healthy and fulfilling lives." The initiative has two key concepts: Inclusion — leaving no one behind in health promotion, and Implementation — ensuring the effectiveness of actions taken. Behind this vision lies a sobering reality. Not only is aging accelerating, but the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes is rising. Widening regional health disparities come along with both. In response, the government revised the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2025 edition) in autumn 2024. This lays the scientific foundation for future health policy. What is now urgently needed is the implementation of evidence-based policies. At this critical juncture, a new "health map" has emerged to guide our voyage. It comes from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Japan research team, led by Professor Shuhei Nomura of Keio University. This team analyzed comprehensive data from the GBD Study 2021 to assess diseases, injuries, and risk factors across Japan and its 47 prefectures from 1990 to 2021. Its report scientifically visualizes the transformation of Japan's health landscape over the past 30 years. The findings are far from simple. At the national level, Japan's health has steadily improved. Average life expectancy at birth rose from 79.4 years in 1990 to 85.2 years in 2021 — an increase of 5.8 years. Women's life expectancy rose from 82.3 to 88.1 years, and men's from 76.2 to 82.2 years. Healthy life expectancy, abbreviated as HALE, also increased from 69.4 to 73.8 years over the same period. However, regional disparities have grown. The gap in life expectancy between prefectures widened from 2.3 to 2.9 years. Among men, the gap grew from 3.2 to 3.9 years. Similar patterns were observed for healthy life expectancy, with clear geographic inequalities. Prefectures such as Shiga, Kyoto, and Nagano in western Japan consistently ranked among the top in both life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. Meanwhile, northern prefectures such as Aomori and Akita remained at the bottom for both men and women. This reflects a persistent east-west divide in health outcomes. Japan's leading causes of death have also shifted dramatically. Alzheimer's disease and dementia, ranked 6th in 1990, became the number one cause of death by 2016. It remained so in 2021, followed by stroke, ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, and lower respiratory infections. In terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), a metric that measures the total number of years lost due to illness, disability, or premature death, lower back pain has ranked as the leading contributor since 2012. It is followed by stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Stomach cancer was once a major cause of death. However, it has seen a dramatic decline due to reductions in Helicobacter pylori infections, improved screening, better diagnostics and treatment, and healthier diets. This is contributing greatly to extended healthy life expectancy. DALYs provide a standardized way for governments and global institutions to prioritize public health actions by quantifying how much healthy life has been lost due to various conditions. Professor Shuhei Nomura (Photographed by the author.) Professor Nomura explains: "The takeaway is clear. We are entering an era where the question is no longer just 'How long can we live?' but increasingly 'How well can we live?' The future of a super-aged society is not one where we carry painkillers in one hand and dementia drugs in the other. Broadening our perspective, we see that all of Asia is now facing a rapid aging wave. According to the Asian Development Bank, the elderly population in Asia will double by 2050, reaching 1.2 billion. Many Asian countries are now closely observing Japan's journey as a potential model for their own future." Japan is unique among post-industrial nations. It has maintained one of the lowest obesity rates while undergoing rapid economic growth. Having successfully navigated a major health transition, Japan is now at the forefront of global efforts to manage aging and chronic diseases. Its initiatives are not just a national roadmap, but a "navigation chart for the future" for all of Asia. This is why there are such high expectations for Health Japan 21 (Third Term). With data-driven science and grounded policy implementation as its twin engines, Japan has the opportunity to remain a global leader in health innovation. The choices Japan makes will influence not only its own future but that of the entire region. Can we build a society where everyone can live in good health and with dignity? That is the question before us. The compass to that future is now, unmistakably, in the hands of the Japanese people. The Global Burden of Disease is an ambitious global research initiative that systematically quantifies the human health impact of more than 80 risk factors. These range from infectious diseases to lifestyle-related chronic conditions. Conducted across 204 countries and territories, GBD tracks the progression and improvements in health outcomes over time. Launched with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2007, the project is spearheaded by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation located at the University of Washington in Seattle. Each year, the findings are published in The Lancet, one of the world's most influential medical journals. They serve as a global compass for guiding national health policies and public health priorities. For additional information, you are encouraged to visit the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington.) This report was first published on J apan 2 Earth , a JAPAN Forward website featuring Japan's initiatives on the SDGs. Author: Hisayuki Uneyama, PhD このページを 日本語 で読む
