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With the fast-paced nature of Singapore, the journey to adulthood has been filled with overwhelming senses of anxiety, pressure, and self-doubt. In the phase where academic excellence and increased societal expectations of success and perfection on social media take over every aspect of their lives, the mental health of these youth becomes increasingly prevalent. Yet, despite the rise of awareness around mental health, many young people still struggle to navigate these challenges without adequate support. The price of seeking professional help, the lack of understanding from parents, and the pressures of social media leave youths struggling with isolation. 

 

High Cost of Seeking Aid

While there has been an increase in awareness of mental health, many youths still struggle to access proper support. The cost of therapy, in particular, is a significant issue. Syaza, a 23-year-old working in the design industry, shares her experience with her mental health. Driven by academic pressure and the stress of sustaining high expectations, she felt a need to seek help from professionals. “I’ve considered seeking professional help, but the prices are just too high,” she admits. 

 

Youth mental health – an impending growing crisis

Ally, 24, shares the same sentiments. “I’ve always felt that the (therapy) prices are always quite costly, and deep down, I am not prepared to open myself up to a stranger”. The mix of inaccessibility and emotional discomfort creates a dilemma for youths who wish to seek help. This leads them to rely on other forms of support, such as close friends or self-reflection. “I do reflect my thoughts and emotions in my journal, be it on my physical journal or my handy-dandy notes app on my phone. I found it oddly comforting as well to just get it out without any ‘judgement’ back,” Ally shares. 

 

Social Media Amplifying Mental Health Struggles

Adding on, social media plays a major role in exacerbating mental health issues among youth. The constant availability of comparison towards others online on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok can take a huge toll on the self-esteem of young people. According to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), youths below the age of 30 were more likely to use social media excessively and are 1.5, 1.3 and 1.6 times more likely to have had severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, respectively.  

Both Syaza and Ally acknowledged the dark sides of using social media. “Being a plus-sized person, it is usual for me to compare how I look to the many, many beautiful women online. I find myself feeling insecure about my weight, body, skin, hair, and makeup,” Ally shares. She opens up about how these insecurities would sometimes lead her to revisit unhealthy habits, such as skipping meals or obsessively trying new beauty products in hopes of achieving the “ideal” body that is perceived by society. 

 

Syaza adds to this topic, “If someone is struggling with their mental health already, their thoughts might be affected negatively, and that allows more room for the brain to come up with pessimistic thoughts about body image—especially since we see ourselves in the mirror every day.”. The constant cycle of comparison and self-critique gives youths a sense of unfulfillment within themselves, which can be hard to break free from. “there might be this pressure of having to keep up with trends, with the latest clothes/makeup etc where people might feel the need to make impulsive purchases just because everyone else is doing it”, Syaza adds. 

 

A Call for Change: Systems to Support Youths

To address this growing issue of the rise of mental health issues among the youth, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong shares what the government is doing to help these youths. According to PM Wong, the government is taking this issue “very seriously” and “redoubling efforts” to get a better understanding of the issue.

 

Singapore 'redoubling efforts' to better understand mental health issues youths face: DPM Wong

 

Syaza calls for better accessibility to mental health services in Singapore. “Make getting help accessible and affordable,”, she urges. “Make it clear, especially for most of us who don’t even know where to start. I’m sure a lot of those struggling would take the first step in getting help if we knew where exactly to look, who to go to, and what the budget is like.”. Ally agrees with this sentiment, believing that more proactive measures need to be taken. “provide more platforms with a greater accessibility to getting not just youths but the people, in general, to be in tune to firstly be aware of the mental health situation and then progressing to work on the methods to support them on their mental health,”, she suggests. 

 

Building a Healthier Future for the Youth

The increase in mental health challenges among young people in Singapore highlights the gaps in the currently available support systems - high therapy costs and pressures of social media and society unaddressed create obstacles for the youths to overcome. The government’s efforts to better understand the youth will not be wasted. Improving professional care and raising more awareness empower youths to manage their mental health, with the hopes of creating a better supportive environment for a healthier future for the youths.