In Commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2006 Breaking Down Barriers - Supporting Mental Wellness Across Cultures

14 Oct 2006

By Mr Heng Chee How

Venue: National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street

Associate Prof Leslie Lim, President of the Singapore Association for Mental Health

Professor Derald Wing Sue of the Department of Counselling and Clinical Psychology at Teacher's College, Columbia University

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon.  I am very happy to join you in commemorating World Mental Health Day 2006.  I congratulate the Singapore Association for Mental Health, the Health Promotion Board and the National Library Board for organizing this event.

My friends asked me recently, when they heard that I was taking up a role at the Health Ministry, what my hopes were in this area.

I said that like many other Singaporeans, I hope that all of us could live long, live well and have peace of mind.

In saying so, I was thinking of the search for that best and sustained balance between the length of life, and its quality and vitality.

And I was not only thinking of physical health and well-being, but also of mental and emotional strength and resilience.  I believe that the connection and inter-dependency between the mind and the body are well-documented.  Individuals will be able to lead full and fulfilling lives when they enjoy all round good health.  Families will be more cohesive with fit, happy members.  Work places will be more productive when employees are energetic and alert.  Communities and society will be more robust and hardy when the population is strong and resilient.

IMH found in a 2004 survey that 16% of adults in Singapore struggle with anxiety, depression or some other mental disorder.  The WHO says that 15% of premature deaths and disability in Singapore has links to mental illness.  Of course, stress and mental and emotional disorders vary from the very minor to the very serious, and we must not be alarmist in interpreting statistics.  That said, it is right to pay due attention to the impact of mental illness, so that the pain and costs it inflicts on individuals, families and society could be minimized.

This year's event highlights the importance of "Breaking Down Barriers - Supporting Mental Wellness Across Cultures ".  It correctly emphasizes the benefit of a proactive approach on the part of all stakeholders.  It also pinpoints the advantage of correctly understanding and tapping the socio-cultural context, habits and practices of the persons and groupings concerned when helping.  This is a very relevant dimension given our multi-racial society, and will help create a more conducive environment for promoting mental health, and detecting and treating mental disorders.  I hope that that with concerted effort by all of us, Singaporeans will enjoy an ever improving state of mental health and well-being.

I wish this event every success.   Thank you.