I saw this article and I found it really interesting to discuss together:
Firstly, I feel that it’s encouraging to see the PAP launching a Mental Health Group with a strong commitment to improving mental health support in Singapore. Mental health has long been stigmatized, and this initiative shows a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society I appreciate how the group is aiming to engage the public in discussions around mental health challenges and to let those struggling know they are not alone.
Lowering the age of consent for mental health services to 18 is an important step, I believe! It would empower young people to take control of their mental health, particularly at a critical stage in their lives. I also agree that there should be a robust framework ensuring that only licensed professionals provide mental health services to young individuals, which will help build trust and ensure safety.
As someone who works in mental health, I believe there’s still a lot to be done in making mental health support accessible and destigmatized, but this initiative is a great start.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge in achieving these goals, especially around increasing public engagement and trust? Do you think more youths will seek help if the age of consent is lowered to 18?
Hello @cottonsoul, lots of mental health talk on the news these days it seems.
I think one of the biggest challenges with their initiatives would be scaling up support systems whether it’s case workers, counsellors, psychologists etc. to cope with the rise in demand for mental health services, which will inevitably come along with with the increased interest and awareness about the topic.
In the coming years, we’ll probably see more people being assessed and subsequently diagnosed with mental health conditions and I hope this spike won’t overload the overloaded system, and for services to be reserved for those who really need it. There will probably be a need for more robust screening processes just to ensure that people are getting the appropriate level of care for what they’re going through. All of this while ensuring that care remains affordable and accessible (i.e appropriate wait times, with professionals of an appropriate skill level).
I think an analogy I’m reminded of was when everybody was hoarding covid test kits and rushing to the A&E. I think what helped ease this panic was public education, by imparting facts about covid-19. Similarly, when people are more knowledgeable about mental health conditions, I hope that they know how to help people around them and themselves better.
I think it’s a positive change to want to lower the age of consent in order to seek help. Given that many older adults have limited understanding of mental well-being, it might be difficult for minors to seek the help they need. I do believe that early intervention could potentially prevent more serious issues down the road. I speak from personal experience where I only received a fitting diagnosis 6 years after the onset of symptoms that affect me on the daily and it took me another few years to find a therapist who had skills to treat my condition specifically.
It would be encouraging if I could confidently tell my peers, “help is out there if you seek it” but I’m not sure if we’re at the point where I can say that yet, though one day I hope I can
Yes, I agree with and hear your concerns, and they’re so valid. The growing demand for mental health services is definitely a challenge, especially as more people seek the support they deserve. It’s true that scaling up systems to meet this demand while keeping care accessible and affordable is a delicate balance. I also really love the analogy about the rush for COVID test kits; it completely resonates—public education was key in managing that surge, and it can play a huge role in mental health too, helping people better understand their needs and when to seek professional support
I totally agree that early intervention can make a world of difference, especially when it comes to minors! I believe that lowering the age of consent for seeking help can empower young people to access care before issues escalate, something that could have helped you earlier, as you shared
Let’s hope this happens soon, and keep our chins up!
I appreciate how the group is aiming to engage the public in discussions around mental health challenges and to let those struggling know they are not alone.