Debated in Parliament on 2 Nov 2021.
Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Health (a) from 2016 to 2020, what is the annual number of individuals receiving treatments for mental health issues; (b) how many are treated for clinical depression and clinical anxiety specifically; (c) what are the profiles of these individuals broken down by race, age, education background and economic background; and (d) what are the known causes that led to these individuals suffering from anxiety/depression.
From 2016 to 2019, based on data reported to the Ministry of Health (MOH), a yearly average of about 49,800 Singapore residents received treatment for mental health issues at our healthcare institutions. This includes the public and private hospitals, polyclinics and general practitioner (GP) clinics. The data for 2020 is not available yet.
During the same period, the average number of residents seeking care for depression and anxiety was 33,700 and 34,500 respectively. However, the numbers include repeat attendances and are not unique headcounts.
Approximately 60% of patients with anxiety or depression are under 60 years old; 70% are of Chinese ethnicity; about 30% live in 3-room or smaller public flats. Breakdown by patients’ education level is not available.
Findings from the 2016 Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) show that unemployment and divorced or separated marital status are significantly associated with depression. The same study postulated that stress may be a risk factor for development of anxiety disorder. The 2010 SMHS found that nearly half of those with depression and anxiety also had chronic physical illness.
Mr Faisal Manap.
Thank you, Speaker. I thank the Parliamentary Secretary. Just one short supplementary question. Does MOH have a ballpark figure of the annual amount of expenses that are being used to tackle issues related to mental health? A ballpark figure for annual expenses.
This data is not what the Member requested for; I do not have it on hand. But if the Member wishes, he may file a further Parliamentary Question with specifics on this matter.
PAPERCUTS