Prevalence of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Screened among Women Aged 40 to 59 in Public Primary Care over Past Five Years

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health for each of the last five years (a) what is the prevalence of screened anxiety and depressive symptoms among women aged 40 to 59 in public primary care; and (b) what are the wait times for such services.

A 2021 study by the National Healthcare Group (NHG Health) found that 8.7% and 7.3% of patients who had visited NHG Health polyclinics between December 2021 and April 2022 were screened positive for clinical depression and anxiety symptoms respectively. Of the patients who were screened positive for clinical depression and anxiety, about half were females.

Patients are first assessed at the general clinic and referred, as needed, to the polyclinic's dedicated mental health clinic. Those who need more urgent attention receive earlier appointments or are referred to specialist care. Over the period between 2017 to 2024, the average time between the initial general clinic review and the dedicated mental health clinic is 26 days.