The basic definition of Mental Health according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) is when an individual has stressors in life and that individual can work productively, that usually is not considered a psychiatric issue.
Points to note:
- When this ability and impairment of function occurs, that is when treatment and intervention are to be conducted.
- In all parts of the world, mood and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses.
- Psychiatry is not just depression or anxiety. A lot of things like autism, hyperactivity disorders as well as schizophrenia are also psychiatric illnesses and typically classify them as mood or psychiatric disorders.
- According to MOH, about 1 in 7 Singaporeans have experienced a mood or anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
Mental Health: Associated Factors (Source: Medical News Today)
Modifiable Factors:
- Socioeconomic conditions such as work opportunities
- Occupation
- Level of Social Involvement
- Education
- Housing Quality
Non Modifiable Factors (Factors we can't control):
- Gender
- Age
- Ethnicity
Some studies have shown:
- Females are more associated with major depressive disorder
- But in Singapore, males are the ones with higher suicidal risk
- Especially among the middle-age group and single men
