Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. I have been dealing with somewhat of a situation by myself for the majority of my life and I have been pretty much handling the mental aspect all by myself. So I don’t really talk to anyone about this and just muster it in myself. I’m pretty sure I’ve had depression for quite some time now, and while I have been somehow dealing with it all this while, things seem to be affecting me a little bit more recently and I think it’s about time that I should go and get official help.
I don’t really want to go through the polyclinic route as I know the wait times are long and they are very swamped. I am looking for a private practice to get help from. My questions are as follows:
should I go for a psychiatrist or a psychologist? I understand that psychiatrists can administer medication, diagnose and carry out more advanced therapies so I am leaning towards them.
I don’t really want to take any pills or such, if the doctor recommends it, can I still refrain from taking them?
where do I even go and find a practice? Feels a bit derivative to go and Google around and read reviews like finding a restaurant. More importantly how do I find a practice that will suit me? I understand that different therapists have different approaches and only certain types will help certain people. So how do I go about identifying the best one without having to try out every single practice present? How do you define the metrics to be able to choose the best practice (is there like certain characteristics I should look out for)?
And I am of course open for any and all advice from everyone. Thank you once again for taking the time to read my random post. (Hope I got the forum and tags right)
Hi @Foo, thanks for reaching out. It’s valid to have concerns about the types of mental health resources that are available, as the system can be rather confusing. But do allow me to shed light on some of these concerns:
The main role of a psychiatrist is to provide medical intervention for mental health conditions (which would be prescribing medication, creating a treatment plan and etc). In comparison, the role of a psychologist would be to provide socio-emotional support through methods such as psychotherapy.
If the doctor recommends taking medication, I would encourage you to follow the treatment plan to ensure that you are able to manage your symptoms. A recovery plan is important as it would allow you to re-integrate into the community, while ensuring that your mental health symptoms are well-regulated.
I do understand that polyclinics have a long waiting time, but the key benefit is that the costs are subsidised by the government. In comparison, private clinics do not have government subsidies, and you will have to pay the full cost out-of-pocket, or have private insurance schemes.
For reference, here are some private psychiatric clinics that I know of:
Hope this helps!
Best regards, HanSolo2000
Befriender | let’s talk by mindline
Thank you for writing in and sharing the current experiences you are going through.
I’m hearing that there has been mental health challenges for a while, but you have been bravely managing it all by yourself. However, you are noticing that recently it has been harder to manage it alone, and it would be more effectively managed with external support and professional help.
By you reaching out to explore avenues of support, I sense your self awareness, motivation and determination to improve your mental health.
Well done, dear☺️.
@Han_Solo_2000 has shared some resources you way want to explore. Look for someone experienced, licensed and certified. More importantly, you must feel safe, supported and at ease when you engage them.
Even as you reach out for professional help, do also continue to reach out to friends and family who genuinely care for you. I have observed that social support and interaction with others is helpful. Activities such as joining exercise sessions and pursuing hobbies, may also bring joy so I encourage you to consider them.
Meanwhile, do continue reaching out here for support whenever needed. Please know that you are not alone and with tiny steps forward, I am confident you will feel better.
Thanks for the reply (and cool name!). I am currently covered for the potential expenses through insurance from my employer and that’s why I am looking for private practice. However, do you happen to have any suggestions on personal insurance for mental well being and how it works and if such a thing does exist, would it be problematic if I get an early diagnosis and would it be that the personal insurance wouldn’t cover pre existing conditions?
Additionally, would you recommend I go for psychiatrist or psychologist for my initial visit?
And lastly, is there any way to find out what a certain psychiatrist/psychologist specialises in or is it that most psychiatrist/psychologist would be able to handle most types of cases and scenarios?
Thank you once again for taking your time in helping, appreciate it!
Thank you so much for such a encouraging and positive message and for the tips and advice.
I try my best to engage in hobbies and exercise and keep myself engaged. But the mind is a finicky thing and can only be kept distracted for so long. Unfortunately, one of the biggest reason I am looking for help is due to isolation and certain problems I face in my life further exasperate these issues and symptoms. I honestly don’t really know if treatment would even help and I don’t really think it would as almost all of what I face is outside my control, there isn’t really much workable solutions other than just acceptance and meds to control the brain chemistry. And I know the meds is more to control the negative emotions and can’t make anyone magically content or happy. I don’t know if I can ever come to acceptance with the scenarios I’m facing… And adding salt to the wound is the stigma around mental wellbeing in Asian cultures. I am still on the fence about reaching out, especially when it’s a requirement for health matters to be declared in so many areas from social activities to employment and school which could even potentially affect these opportunities. And I also don’t know how the people around me would react if they found out I’m going for therapy, it’s not really a lighthearted conversation by any means.
Apologies for the messy and confusing rant, I usually handle these thought processes by myself and wouldn’t really discuss it with anyone. And I know there isn’t much of a reply that can address anything I said, especially through a simple online forum. But I don’t know, I just needed to vent it out somewhere I guess and it’s always good to have a second pair of eyes on something I guess hahaha.
Thanks for taking your time in reading this and for your initial reply once again.
Great to hear from you and thanks for updating us!
I’m glad you are trying out different hobbies and I get that you may need to explore different hobbies before finding those you enjoy. I believe that by trying out different activities and hobbies it can potentially expand our knowledge and interest too!
Yes pls take any action at a pace you are comfortable with. You may want to consider contacting mindline at 1771 as you can either call or chat with them on an anonymous basis.
Let us know how it goes and how you are doing and keep reaching out here whenever needed! I hope you will feel less alone knowing there is a community here you can engage with
Thank you so much for reaching out - and for the kind words! It’s genuinely heartening to see someone taking thoughtful steps toward mental well-being. In Singapore, mental health coverage under personal insurance can be a bit complex. While employer-provided group plans often include mental health support without individual underwriting, private insurance policies tend to be more selective. Most insurers assess pre-existing conditions during the application process, and mental health diagnoses - especially if disclosed early - may lead to exclusions, premium loading, or waiting periods before coverage kicks in.
That said, some insurance providers do offer coverage for mental health conditions, especially if managed well over time. However, I am not very well-versed about insurance matters, so I’d encourage you to contact an insurance provider directly for more information.
As for your initial visit, it depends on what kind of support you’re seeking. If you are open to the idea of and willing to consider medications, I’d recommend speaking to the psychiatrist first. If you would like to explore psychotherapy, consider speaking to the psychologist first. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and assess biological factors, while psychologists focus on talk therapy and emotional processing. To find someone whose expertise aligns with your needs, you can check professional directories like the Singapore Register of Psychologists (https://singaporepsychologicalsociety.org/members-directory/) or clinic websites, which often list specialisations - such as trauma, anxiety, or adolescent care. While many professionals are trained to handle a broad range of issues, finding someone whose therapeutic style and focus resonate with you can make a meaningful difference.
Best regards, HanSolo2000
Befriender | let’s talk by mindline
