Measures to Address Findings in National Study on Rising Prevalence of Severe Mental Health Symptoms amongst Youths

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health (a) what targeted measures are being implemented to address the findings of the National Youth Mental Health Study on the rising prevalence of severe mental health symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and stress experienced by youths; and (b) how will the Ministry ensure equitable access to mental health services for all youths, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

My response will also address the oral question filed by Assoc Prof Razwana for the subsequent Sitting. I would invite Members to seek clarifications, if need be. If the questions have been addressed, it may not be necessary for them to proceed with the Questions for future Sittings.

Regarding Dr Wan Rizal’s queries on targeted measures and preventive strategies, upstream efforts include Mental Health Education integrated into the school curriculum to help students regulate their emotions, recognise mental health symptoms and seek help early. Student Development Experiences like co-curricular activities and camps reinforce such learning, fostering resilience and mental well-being. Peer support structures established in all schools and Institutes of Higher Learning also enable students to look out for one another and encourage peers in distress to seek help from trusted adults. These efforts are aligned with the protective factors identified in the National Youth Mental Health Study, including resilience, social support and self-esteem.

To ensure mental health services are accessible to youths in the community, Youth Community Outreach Teams (CREST-Youth) and Youth Integrated Teams (YITs) provide mental health services to all youths aged 12 to 25 and are fully funded by the Government without any out-of-pocket payment. Subsidised mental health services are also available at most polyclinics and participating general practitioner clinics. We aim to extend these services to all polyclinics and Healthier SG GP clinics and expand the number of CREST-Youth and YIT teams to 15 teams by 2030.

Regarding Assoc Prof Razwana’s query on measures yet to be rolled out, we will be designating first-stop touchpoints to enable individuals to receive support early and to facilitate access to higher-tier services when needed. For instance, a new National Mental Health Helpline and Textline service will be introduced in mid-2025 to offer psychological first aid to those facing mental distress. Those who require additional support, including crisis management, will be referred to the relevant services.

Other upcoming measures include the Positive Use Guide on Technology and Social Media, which will be ready in the first half of 2025. It will guide healthy and positive uses of technology and social media and provide recommendations to mitigate their potential negative impact. In addition, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Infocomm Media Development Authority are studying whether further requirements, such as age assurance, are needed to prevent children and youths from accessing age-inappropriate content on relevant online communication services.