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SINGAPORE: Health authorities around the world must not only fight COVID-19, but also manage its impact on mental health, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday (10 October).
This is because the pandemic has brought “stresses, pressures and disruptions” to more people, Lee said in a video message to the World Health Organization for World Mental Health Day.
Mental health is essential to overall well-being, Lee said. But while awareness of its importance has grown, “too often people with mental health problems are still not well understood or not fully accepted.”
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In the case of Singapore, Mr. Lee highlighted the national hotline established to provide psychological first aid and emotional support to the public during this “stressful period”.
He also pointed to the COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Task Force, established to address the impact of the pandemic on mental health.
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The Prime Minister noted that one in seven people in Singapore will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives.
“Ensuring access to quality mental health care for all citizens is therefore an important priority,” he said, noting efforts to increase mental health literacy, promote early intervention and improve health services. mental.
“Protecting mental health requires a collective effort,” Lee said. “Let’s resolve to work together to better understand mental health and care for each other during these difficult times.”
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