The economic burden of mental disorders among adults in Singapore: evidence from the 2016 Singapore Mental Health Study

Abstract Aims The second Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) – a nationwide, cross-sectional, epidemiological survey - was initiated in 2016 with the intent of tracking the state of mental health of the general population in Singapore. The study employed the same methodology as the first survey initiated in 2010. The SMHS 2016 aimed to (i) establish the 12-month and lifetime prevalence and correlates of major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymia, bipolar disorder, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) (which included alcohol abuse and dependence) and (ii) compare the prevalence of these disorders with reference to data from the SMHS 2010. Methods Door-to-door household surveys were conducted with adult Singapore residents aged 18 years and above from 2016 to 2018 (n = 6126) which yielded a response rate of 69.0%. The subjects were randomly selected using a disproportionate stratified sampling method and assessed using World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0 (WHO-CIDI 3.0). The diagnoses of lifetime and 12-month selected mental disorders including MDD, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, GAD, OCD, and AUD (alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence), were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Results The lifetime prevalence of at least one mood, anxiety or alcohol use disorder was 13.9% in the adult population. MDD had the highest lifetime prevalence (6.3%) followed by alcohol abuse (4.1%). The 12-month prevalence of any DSM-IV mental disorders was 6.5%. OCD had the highest 12-month prevalence (2.9%) followed by MDD (2.3%). Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders assessed in SMHS 2016 (13.8% and 6.4%) was significantly higher than that in SMHS 2010 (12.0% and 4.4%). A significant increase was observed in the prevalence of lifetime GAD (0.9% to 1.6%) and alcohol abuse (3.1% to 4.1%). The 12-month prevalence of GAD (0.8% vs. 0.4%) and OCD (2.9% vs. 1.1%) was significantly higher in SMHS 2016 as compared to SMHS 2010. Conclusions The high prevalence of OCD and the increase across the two surveys needs to be tackled at a population level both in terms of creating awareness of the disorder and the need for early treatment. Youth emerge as a vulnerable group who are more likely to be associated with mental disorders and thus targeted interventions in this group with a focus on youth friendly and accessible care centres may lead to earlier detection and treatment of mental disorders.

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Psychiatric epidemiological survey of university students in Botswana: rationale and methods of the Youth Mental Health Study (YMHS)

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038175 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. e038175

Author(s):

J Maphisa Maphisa ◽

Opelo Petunia Mogotsi ◽

Olorato Khumo Machola ◽

Keamogetse Metlha Maswabi ◽

Tiro Bright Motsamai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

University Students ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Youth Mental Health ◽

Service Planning ◽

Self Report ◽

Health Study ◽

Low Middle Income Countries ◽

Mental Health Study

BackgroundWhile the burden of disease attributable to mental disorders in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) is lower than high-income countries, there is recognition that the dearth of evidence from the LMICs may underestimate the actual prevalence and burden associated with mental disorders. Such is likely the case for Botswana where there has been no nationally representative data on the prevalence of symptoms of mental disorders or even a subgroup estimation of mental disorders in the country. Thus, the Youth Mental Health Study (YMHS) aims to estimate the prevalence and identify predictors of symptoms of mental disorders among university students in Botswana to add to the evidence and contribute to the country’s health service planning.MethodsThe YMHS is a cross-sectional study of youth (18–29 years) attending six large universities (accounting for nearly half of the tertiary student population) in Botswana. A stratified sampling procedure with proportionate allocation and selection is used to select a representative sample of 1308 participants. An online survey comprising of a battery of reliable and validated self-report measures of symptoms of mental disorders is used. A developmental psychopathology framework is used in identifying the risk factors of mental disorders. Participant recruitment will span over 4 months beginning in February 2020.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received ethics approval from the University of Botswana Institutional Review Board, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Participants will be provided with feedback of their own results. Aggregated findings will be disseminated to stakeholders in the tertiary education and health sector in Botswana, and through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and the media.

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Impact of unemployment on mental disorders, physical health and quality of life: Findings from the Singapore Mental Health Study

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore ◽

10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2020637 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (5) ◽

pp. 390-401

Author(s):

Mythily Subramaniam ◽

Jue Hua Lau ◽

Edimansyah Abdin ◽

Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar ◽

James Junda Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Mental Disorder ◽

Physical Health ◽

Household Survey ◽

Composite International Diagnostic Interview ◽

Diagnostic Interview ◽

Health Study ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: This study examines: (1) the employment rate among those with a mental disorder in the 12 months preceding the survey (referred henceforth as 12-month mental disorder); (2) the sociodemographic correlates of unemployment; and (3) the association of unemployment with 12-month mental disorders and chronic physical conditions in the adult resident population in Singapore. Methods: Data are from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016, a household survey of a nationally representative sample of 6,126 Singapore residents. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to assess mental disorders and physical health conditions. Employment-related information was collected using a modified employment module of the CIDI. Results: Of the 6,125 participants who took part in the study, 4,055 (72%) were employed, 1,716 (22.7%) were economically inactive, and 354 (5.3%) were unemployed. The unemployment rate was twice as high among those with a 12-month mental disorder (11.5%) than those without (4.8%). The proportion of unemployed individuals increased sharply with the increasing severity of mental disorders. Being married and higher household income were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of being employed than unemployed. In contrast, the presence of one 12-month mental disorder was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of being employed. Conclusion: Our findings provide information on the significant association of mental disorders with unemployment. Clinicians should remain vigilant and consider the loss of employment a potential risk factor for adverse physical and mental health changes. Management of unemployed patients with a combination of pharmacotherapy and work-directed interventions can facilitate their re-entry into the workforce and improve health outcomes. Keywords: Employment, epidemiology, mental health, survey

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Review of Social order and mental health: The Florida Mental Health Study.

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry ◽

10.1037/h0098885 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 376-378

Author(s):

Thomas F. McGee

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Order ◽

Health Study ◽

Mental Health Study

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The Relationship between Suicidality and Socio-Demographic Variables, Physical Disorders, and Psychiatric Disorders: Results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084365 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4365

Author(s):

Kundadak Ganesh Kudva ◽

Edimansyah Abdin ◽

Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar ◽

Boon Yiang Chua ◽

Saleha Shafie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Population Level ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Epidemiological Survey ◽

Health Study ◽

Physical Disorders ◽

Mental Health Study ◽

The Relationship

Suicidality encompasses suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. This paper aims to establish associations between suicidality and sociodemographic variables, physical disorders, and psychiatric disorders. The Singapore Mental Health Study 2016 was a population-level epidemiological survey, which determined the prevalence of physical disorders, psychiatric disorders, and suicidality. Questionnaires were used to determine socio-demographic information. A total of 6216 respondents were interviewed. Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts were 7.8%, 1.6%, and 1.6%, respectively. All components of suicidality were more likely in those with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and chronic pain. Suicidal ideation and attempts were more likely in those with diabetes. Age above 65, being male, and a monthly household income of ≥ SGD 10,000 were associated with a lower likelihood of suicidal ideation. These findings indicate that there are high-risk groups for whom suicidality is a concern, and for whom interventions may be needed.

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685 Sleep Latency, Pre and Peri-COVID-19 Experiences and PTSD Symptoms: Results from the NYU COVID-19 Mental Health Study

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.683 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A267-A268

Author(s):

April Rogers ◽

Judite Blanc ◽

Azizi Seixas ◽

Joao Nunes ◽

Georges Casimir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

New York ◽

New York City ◽

York City ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Health Study ◽

Sleep Onset Latency ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Effective Response ◽

Mental Health Study

Abstract Introduction An effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been the decision to subject individuals residing in New York City to quarantine rules in order to reduce the spread of the virus. As might have been expected, restriction of usual daily activities would affect individuals’ sleep-wake patterns. It is also known that exposure to traumatic experiences can also engender sleep disturbances, most notably in their ability to initiate sleep. This study investigated the associations between sleep onset latency (SOL), pre and peri-COVID-19 exposure and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among New Yorkers. Methods 541 individuals (female = 373(69%); mean age=40.9) were recruited during the summer and fall of 2020 in New York City to participate in the NYU-COVID-19 Mental Health Study. Participants provided sociodemographic data and were also asked to respond to the COVID-19 quarantine experiences, comprised of seven binary questions, the PTSD Checklist-PCL-5, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. Descriptive and linear regression analysis were performed to explore associations of scores on the COVID-19 quarantine experience with PTSD and sleep data. All analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0 Results Regression analyses revealed that SOL emerged as the strongest independent predictor of PTSD symptoms [B(t) = −.630(12.7); p < .001]; factors adjusted in the model included pre and peri-covid-19 factors such as age, sex, job type, and quarantine experience. Analyses assessing potential interaction effect revealed that quarantine experience did not affect the relationship between SOL and PTSD [B(t) = .086(.831); p = >.005]. The other sleep factors in the model did not yield significance. sleep duration had a weak correlation with quarantine, it was not found to be a predictor of PTSD. Conclusion We observed that SOL was the most important determinant of PTSD symptoms among individuals exposed to COVID-19. This is consistent with other findings suggesting that a sizable proportion of individuals exposed to pandemics are likely to experience sleep disturbances. It is plausible that quarantine might lead to increased daytime naps, which may impact SOL. Further research is needed to better understand the association of SOL and PTSD as a result of Covid-19. Support (if any) K07AG052685, R01MD007716, R01HL142066, T32HL129953, K01HL135452, R01HL152453

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