Speech by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health, at the MINDSET Challenge and Carnival, 29 Oct 2017

Distinguished Guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

A very good morning to all.

1    It is my pleasure to join you today for the 6^th edition of The MINDSET Challenge and Carnival. This year, over 2,000 participants have come together to help raise funds for mental health. I would like to thank  you  for your commitment to de-stigmatise and reintegrate persons with mental health issues into the workforce.

Implications of mental health conditions and strategies employed

2    The Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) 2010 conducted by the Institute of Mental Health, found a 12% lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in the Singapore general population. Research also shows that poor mental health can significantly impact an individual’s physical health, such as increasing the risk of heart disease.

3    Since 2012, MOH has been implementing initiatives under the Community Mental Health Masterplan that focus on strengthening core mental health services for the detection, intervention and rehabilitation of persons with mental health conditions through a community-based model. Through these community based mental health services, recovering persons can receive care and support in the community, which would better help them integrate with society.

4    A key focus area is in early diagnosis and intervention, by prompt recognition of symptoms and accessing appropriate points of care. Upstream education hubs and touchpoints are available in the community, and include programmes for different age groups ranging from the Response, Early Intervention, Assessment in Community Mental Health (REACH) programme for students, Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT) for youths, to touchpoints for the elderly such as the Singapore Silver Line and Singapore Silver Pages.

5    Despite the various campaigns and programmes to raise awareness, many Singaporeans with mental health issues are still reluctant to seek help due to a fear of social stigma. To encourage such difficult conversations, MOH has pledged to invest an additional $160 million over the next five years to enhance capabilities and improve access to community mental health services. We will adopt strategies to facilitate greater acceptance of and provide assistance to those with mental health conditions, and their caregivers, such as increasing the number of mental health and dementia clinics in primary care settings, and working with our community partners.

Role of corporations in promoting mental well-being

6    However, the government cannot do this alone. Others in the community have also recognised the importance of good mental health in overall wellbeing, including corporations such as the Jardine Matheson Group.

7    68% of the working-age population^[1] are engaged actively in the labour market, where they grapple with varying degrees of stress on a daily basis. The impact of corporations in creating a conducive workplace, such as being a touchpoint for mental health education or assessments and raising awareness on mental health conditions, is vital and helpful in creating a healthier, happier and invariably more productive workforce.

8    The Health Promotion Board (HPB) also provides regular stress management and overall mental wellbeing messages to help working adults better manage, and increase their resilience to, mental health stressors encountered in daily life. In addition, managers and human resource personnel have opportunities to increase their awareness and knowledge of common mental health issues, thereby equipping themselves to recognise and engage staff who display signs of emotional distress.

9    The Jardine Matheson Group has taken a step further through MINDSET. They not only educate their employees and destigmatise mental health issues in their workplace, but have also provided job skills training and created opportunities for persons-in-recovery (PIRs) to reintegrate into the society through employment. The MINDSET Learning Hub (MLH), a partnership with the Singapore Association for Mental Health, also provides PIRs with opportunities to achieve both Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) and non-WSQ job training. As of end September 2017, MLH has placed a total of 73 PIRs in the open workforce since opening a year ago. In addition, MINDSET has provided 110 persons with employment opportunities within Jardine Matheson Group since 2011. These efforts create greater awareness for mental health conditions, and collectively contribute to reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues.

Conclusion

10    I thank Jardine Matheson Group and MINDSET Care Limited for your continuing efforts in promoting mental health awareness and to all our mental health partners and corporations for their good work on this front.

11    All of us have a part to play in promoting mental wellbeing, from encouraging and supporting our loved ones, to accepting and empowering our friends, neighbours and colleagues who might have mental health conditions. Let us continue to combat stigma towards mental health and raise greater awareness for people with mental health conditions.

12    Thank you, and I wish all of you a fruitful day ahead.

^[1]Ministry of Manpower 2017. Summary Table: Labour Force. [Accessed 2 Oct 2017] [URL: http://stats.mom.gov.sg/Pages/Labour-Force-Summary-Table.aspx].