Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/104742
Title: Where do people with mental disorders in Singapore go to for help?
Authors: Abdin, Edimansyah
Vaingankar, Janhavi A
Chong, Siow Ann
Subramaniam, Mythily
Kwok, Kian Woon
Keywords: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology
Issue Date: 2012
Source: Chong, S. A., Abdin, E., Vaingankar, J. A., Kwok, K. W., & Subramaniam, M. (2012). Where do people with mental disorders in Singapore go to for help? Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 41(4), 154-160.
Series/Report no.: Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: This study aims to examine the pattern of services utilisation and the factors associated with help-seeking behaviour among those with mental disorders in the multi-ethnic Asian population of Singapore. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A household survey was carried out on a nationally representative sample of the adult (18 years and above) resident population. The main instrument used to establish the diagnosis of mental disorders and the services sought was the Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0 (CIDI 3.0). The 'services' component of the instrument contains questions, which examine service utilisation for mental health problems. RESULTS: A total number of 6616 completed respondents constituted a representative sample of the adult resident population in Singapore. Only 31.7% of those with mental disorders had sought help: 15.7% from mental health providers, 8.4% from general practitioners, and 7.6% from religious/ spiritual advisors or other healers. Among respondents with severe disability across any disorder assessed in our survey, 50.1% had sought help from some service in the past 12 months. Individuals with moderate or mild levels had lower rates of consultation, i.e. 35.4% and 30.6% respectively. The rate of using the Internet as a source of help was low in this population. CONCLUSION: There is a need to engage and work collaboratively with healthcare providers (including religious and spiritual healers) in the community to detect, assess and treat those with mental illness. More general practitioners need to be involved, and the role of the Internet also requires further consideration as a source for help.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/104742
http://hdl.handle.net/10220/24707
URL: http://www.annals.edu.sg/pastIssue.cfm?pastMonth=4&pastYear=2012
ISSN: 0304-4602
Schools: School of Humanities and Social Sciences 
Rights: © 2012 Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore. This paper was published in Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore and is made available as an electronic reprint (preprint) with permission of Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore. The paper can be found at the following official URL: http://www.annals.edu.sg/pastIssue.cfm?pastMonth=4&pastYear=2012.  One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.
Fulltext Permission: open
Fulltext Availability: With Fulltext
Appears in Collections:HSS Journal Articles

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