Number of Individuals Receiving Treatments for Mental Health Issues

NOTICE PAPER NO. 799
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 2 NOVEMBER 2021

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap
MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 2048

To ask the Minister for Health (a) from 2016 to 2020, what is the annual number of individuals receiving treatments for mental health issues; (b) how many are treated for clinical depression and clinical anxiety specifically; (c) what are the profiles of these individuals broken down by race, age, education background and economic background; and (d) what are the known causes that led to these individuals suffering from anxiety/depression.

Answer

1     From 2016 to 2019, based on data reported to MOH, a yearly average of about 49,800 Singapore residents received treatment for mental health issues at our healthcare institutions. This includes the public and private hospitals, polyclinics and GP clinics. Data for 2020 are not available yet. 

2     During the same period, the average number of residents seeking care for depression and anxiety was 33,700 and 34,500 respectively. However, the numbers include repeat attendances, and are not unique headcounts. 

3     Approximately 60% of patients with anxiety or depression are under 60 years old. 70% are of Chinese ethnicity.  About 30% live in three room or smaller public flats. Breakdown by patients’ education level is not available.

4     Findings from the 2016 Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) show that unemployment and divorced or separated marital status are significantly associated with depression. The same study postulated that stress may be a risk factor for development of anxiety disorder. The 2010 SMHS found that nearly half of those with depression and anxiety also had a chronic physical illness.