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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.
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.
Telegraph
29-04-2025
- Telegraph
Afghan drug user allowed to stay in UK because Taliban is harsh on addicts
A drug user from Afghanistan has won his claim to stay in the UK after a judge ruled that the Taliban treated addicts too harshly. The man, who left the country when he was a child, was successful in his appeal on the grounds that his mental health and addiction issues, along with the likelihood of him being perceived as 'Westernised', put him at risk of harm from the regime. Judge Rebecca Chapman said that if the 'vulnerable' asylum seeker was returned to Afghanistan, he 'could be imprisoned and forced to go cold turkey', without access to methadone, 'which would inevitably result in a deterioration' of his mental health. She further ruled he would be at risk of persecution, in breach of his rights under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), because 'persons perceived to be Westernised may be seen as non-Afghani or non-Muslim and that profile might overlap with transgressing societal norms'. The judge's comments came despite her hearing evidence that Afghanistan was the world's leading producer of opium, with 10 per cent of its population estimated to be addicts. But she ruled that the man's history of drug addiction meant he would ultimately be at risk of 'inhuman and degrading' treatment, in breach of article three of the ECHR if he were to return to the country, and so granted him asylum. 'Vulnerable' man with 'transient' lifestyle The upper immigration tribunal was told the man, thought to be 39 years old, first applied for asylum in 2010, having arrived in the UK aged nine. He was described as 'vulnerable' with a long-term drug addiction and a 'transient' lifestyle, and was also said to have 'difficult' relationships with his family members. His lawyers said that owing to his various issues, he was likely to be perceived as 'Westernised' in Afghanistan and having transgressed moral and religious codes, which meant he would be seen as non-Muslim. They said he was 'not a very religious person', did not fast or pray regularly and actively opposed the views of the Taliban. The judge noted that the man, who had been diagnosed with PTSD and depression, would face a regime where drug addicts were 'rounded up, beaten and imprisoned where they were forced to go cold turkey without access to methadone or counselling'. Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, many of the country's drug treatment centres have been closed down.
Telegraph
03-03-2025
- Telegraph
Iraqi drug dealer ‘too Westernised to be deported'
An Iraqi drug dealer escaped being deported after claiming that he had been in the UK for so long that he had become too 'Westernised' to return to his home country. The convicted criminal was sentenced to five years and four months behind bars for dealing cocaine following a crown court trial in 2015. He had unsuccessfully tried to claim asylum in 2010 – nine years after entering Britain – but was granted indefinite leave to remain. The Home Office sought to deport him following his release from jail but a lower immigration tribunal ruled he was eligible to remain in Britain. However, this was overruled by an upper tribunal judge after the Home Office appealed the lower court's decision. The case will now be reconsidered. Convict 'at risk of persecution' The Iraqi man claimed that deporting him would be in breach of his Article 8 rights to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights. He has a young daughter who is a British citizen. The court was told: 'It was also said that [his] return to Iraq was not feasible and that he possessed several 'aggravating factors'.' These factors included his 24-year absence from Iraq, which would mean he would return as a 'single lone male and failed asylum seeker, without documentation and with a Westernised profile which, taken collectively, demonstrated [he] had 'a much higher likelihood of being targeted and persecuted should he be forced to return to Iraq'.' The man and his lawyers argued he was too 'Westernised' to return to Iraq and people in the Middle East country would be suspicious of him. 'It was said that, as a failed asylum seeker, [he] would be arrested under the criminal code, he would be viewed with suspicion returning as a single man without any family support or anyone to vouch for him and he would not be able to access health care, accommodation or employment,' the court was told. 'He would not be able to obtain documentation and he would face persecution because he would be viewed as 'Westernised' ... because of his social and cultural attitudes and beliefs.' Father 'no longer danger to community' The Iraqi man had also unsuccessfully applied for a European Economic Area residence card – which allows non-EU citizens to live and work in the UK – as he was the partner of a Hungarian woman with whom he had a daughter in 2014. The court also debated whether he remained a danger to the community in the UK. At the lower tribunal hearing, a judge ruled he was not, as he had not reoffended and had shown himself to be a responsible family man. 'He had now been out of prison for over five years and there was confidence that he would shy away from criminality and focus on enjoying his family life with his partner and child,' the court was told. At the latest hearing, Upper Tribunal Judge Anna-Rose Landes ruled the previous judge made mistakes in the law relating to his 'Westernisation' and refugee status. Judge Landes said a new hearing must take place to determine whether the man was entitled to asylum status or 'humanitarian protection' under UK law. Both forms of protection are similar and offer permission to stay in the UK. However, asylum seekers who do not meet the criteria for refugee status can be considered for humanitarian protection. Judge Landes said: 'If the Iraqi is not a refugee then he would qualify for humanitarian protection.' She also found he successfully 'rebutted the presumption that he constitutes a danger to the community.' A new hearing will take place at a later date.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Human remains found in search for woman murdered 12 years ago by husband
Detectives searching for the body of a woman who was murdered 12 years ago have discovered human remains. Ahmed Al-Khatib, from Gorton, Greater Manchester, was convicted in 2014 of murdering his Syrian-born wife, Rania Alayed, who had gone missing the year before. He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years imprisonment. But the 25-year-old's body was never found despite numerous searches. Now officers from Greater Manchester Police say that after receiving new information, they have discovered human remains buried beside the A19 in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. They had been searching the area since Monday. The force said 'a scene' would remain in place for the coming days as specialist officers carried out further work. 'While no official identification has taken place, we strongly suspect the remains are that of Rania,' they said. Her family had been informed of the finding of remains and were being supported by specially trained officers. 'They remain at the forefront of our minds,' the force said. Al-Khatib had subjected Ms Alayed to years of physical and mental abuse, eventually forcing her to flee the family home to try to start a new life, Manchester Crown Court heard at his trial. He believed she was becoming too Westernised and became jealous when she enrolled at a local college and began studying English. Rania's son, Yazan, speaking on behalf of his family, said: 'The discovery of my mother's remains more than a decade onwards has come as a surreal surprise to me and my family. 'At last, being able to provide a final resting place is all we have wanted for the last 11 years, to have the ability to lay down a few flowers for my mother is more than I can ask for from this world.' Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson, from Greater Manchester Police's major incident team, said: 'More than a decade after her murder, we now strongly believe we have located Rania's body and are finally able to provide closure to her family, who we know have endured so much pain and grief over the years. 'Rania's family have always been kept informed following our searches over the last few years, and we are providing them updates as we get them following this most recent development. 'Her murder was utterly horrific and not knowing where her body is has inflicted further pain to all those who knew her. I hope that we are now able to finally reunite her with her family, where she belongs, so that they can give her a proper resting place.'
