Wan Rizal on advancing mental health
In the journey towards a healthier Singapore, mental health must be recognised not just as a component of the healthcare system but as a cornerstone of societal well-being and economic stability. MP Wan Rizal said this in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 6) as he moved a motion on the issue. He said the 2022 National Population Health Survey revealed a “concerning” rise in mental health issues among Singaporeans, notably young people. So, there is a need for a robust mental health ecosystem that is proactive in promoting mental well-being, not just reactive in addressing illness. Dr Wan Rizal said a national strategy launched by an inter-agency taskforce last October was “a commendable step forward” but could still be refined constructively. He said over the past three years, he has heard concerns ranging from high costs and long waiting time for mental health services to challenges in insurance coverage and fears of workplace discrimination for those with such conditions. He offered several suggestions under the acronym “LASTS”. L for literacy - recognising that it is okay to reach out for help with mental health issues and knowing what to do about it; A for accessibility - expanding access to community-based support in shared safe spaces; S for screening - he suggested a “buy one, get one” concept under Healthier SG, to get a mental health check with every physical health screening; T for timeouts - essential to manage stress and prevent burnout; and S again for spiritual health - cultivating inner peace and a sense of purpose, values and connection regardless of one’s faith or belief system.
In the journey towards a healthier Singapore, mental health must be recognised not just as a component of the healthcare system but as a cornerstone of societal well-being and economic stability. MP Wan Rizal said this in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 6) as he moved a motion on the issue. He said the 2022 National Population Health Survey revealed a “concerning” rise in mental health issues among Singaporeans, notably young people. So, there is a need for a robust mental health ecosystem that is proactive in promoting mental well-being, not just reactive in addressing illness. Dr Wan Rizal said a national strategy launched by an inter-agency taskforce last October was “a commendable step forward” but could still be refined constructively. He said over the past three years, he has heard concerns ranging from high costs and long waiting time for mental health services to challenges in insurance coverage and fears of workplace discrimination for those with such conditions. He offered several suggestions under the acronym “LASTS”. L for literacy - recognising that it is okay to reach out for help with mental health issues and knowing what to do about it; A for accessibility - expanding access to community-based support in shared safe spaces; S for screening - he suggested a “buy one, get one” concept under Healthier SG, to get a mental health check with every physical health screening; T for timeouts - essential to manage stress and prevent burnout; and S again for spiritual health - cultivating inner peace and a sense of purpose, values and connection regardless of one’s faith or belief system.
