SINGAPORE: About a quarter, or 26 per cent, of adults in Singapore experience mild depressive or anxiety symptoms, a new study has shown.
Another 19 per cent experience moderate symptoms, while 7 per cent exhibit severe symptoms.
The Quality of Life study by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), carried out in April and May via an online survey, involved 6,700 Singapore residents aged 18 and above.
NCSS had earlier in 2015 studied the topic of mental health in a separate survey for individuals who had sought help through mental health services.
Six in 10 respondents in its latest survey were in full-time, permanent employment and reported a higher quality of life compared with those who were unemployed.
These latest findings from the study so far come on the back of growing efforts by community groups to create supportive workplace environments.
To this end, the Beyond the Label (BTL) Collective, co-led by the NCSS and social service agency Touch Community Services, launched the Beyond the Label festival on Sept 12 and 13 at Plaza Singapura. Around 4,000 people attended over the two days.
Beyond the Label is a mental health movement in Singapore which started in 2018, while the BTL Collective comprises partners like social service agencies and government organisations working together.
The festival featured wellness workshops, interactive booths, and a panel discussion to drive conversations around mental health in the workplace.
In addition, CapitaLand and Touch are teaming up to set up a workplace mental wellness centre, expected to open in 2026, in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District.
The BTL Collective also worked with NUS to launch Return to Work workshops for human resources professionals and people in hiring positions aimed at fostering an inclusive culture and supporting staff returning from mental health-related absences.
More than 40 HR professionals attended the two runs in August and September.
Workshops highlighted peer support structures, where employees who have overcome challenges mentor others, as well as flexible scheduling, role redesign and reduced workloads to ease transitions back to work.
Julius Tan, 40, said having a supportive employer helped him manage his mental health condition and allowed him to perform better at work.
The biomedical technician was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2023 and struggled with depression for years, which often disrupted his work.
He decided to tell his employer about his mental health after a hospitalisation that affected his attendance at work.
“I did worry if I would be judged. It was scary being honest about my condition,” he told The Straits Times.
“I felt being upfront and being clear was important to come up with effective ways for me to continue to be able to work and take care of myself at the same time.”
His manager and colleagues were supportive, and he was allowed to take a six-month unpaid break.
This allowed him to focus on counselling sessions to learn to manage his bipolar disorder.
Upon his return, his employer continued to be supportive by allowing him to work flexibly.
As the medication he was taking affected his ability to get up in the morning, Tan was allowed to start working later. He was also given the freedom to adjust his working schedule to accommodate counselling sessions and medical appointments.
“I’m extremely glad that my employer has been supportive throughout my employment and mental health journey,” said Tan. – The Straits Times/ANN