BY SIA LING XIN

ASURVEY on mental health - the largest of its kind - will be done to find out how common mental disorders are among adult Singaporeans, and if those with such conditions are seeking help.

It will also examine the impact of mental-health disorders on affected individuals and their families.

The Singapore Mental Health Study, which aims to poll at least 6,500 people, will be carried out by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore and Rand Health, a division of American non-profit research organisation Rand Corporation.

Associate Professor Chong Siow Ann, the vice-chairman for research of IMH's medical board and one of the study's leaders, said: "The challenges to the mental well-being of Singapore residents, such as increasing divorce rates and an ageing population, are growing, but the impact of mental illness in Singapore is not well-understood.

"This study aims to give us a clearer picture of the mental-health scene in Singapore."

The results, expected to be ready in 2011, will be used to design programmes to improve mental health, said another leader, Ms Janhavi Vaingankar from IMH?s research division.

For example, if the findings showed that social networking could improve individuals' mental well-being, policymakers could organise more community events to promote interaction, she said.

The last national mental-health survey in 2004 polled more than 3,900 people, and focused on the prevalence of only depressive and anxiety disorders.

It found that an adult Singaporean has a 5.6 per cent risk of developing depression and a 3.4 per cent risk of developing an anxiety disorder in his lifetime.

The results highlighted the need for mental-health programmes, and led to the creation of a five-year National Mental Health Blueprint by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in 2007.

The new study will be more comprehensive, screening for anxiety, mood and substance-abuse disorders, including mania, gambling addiction and nicotine dependence.

Some 150,000 households have been identified randomly for the survey, which will be carried out face-to-face by trained IMH professionals. The target is to achieve at least 6,500 completed interviews over the next 12 months.

Those who agree to complete the two-hour interview will receive $5o.

The $6.9-million project is funded by the Singapore Millennium Foundation and MOH.

lingxin@sph.com.sg

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