As parents, we worry about grades, screen time, sleep, and nutrition. But how often do we stop to check in on our child’s mental health?
A new study published in The Lancet Public Health has highlighted something every parent in Singapore needs to hear. Mental disorders are now the leading cause of disability and death among children aged 10 to 14.
This isn’t just a statistic. It’s a wake-up call.
Alarming Statistics
In 2021 alone, Singapore recorded approximately 653,000 diagnoses of mental disorders, with prevalence rates at 12.8% for males and 11.7% for females. Among the most commonly reported conditions were anxiety (affecting 185,000 individuals) and depression (144,000 individuals).
The impact is particularly severe among tweens. The 10–14 age group now faces mental illness as the primary contributor to both disability and mortality, a stark contrast to traditional concerns such as infectious diseases or physical injuries.
Causes Behind the Crisis
Mental Disorders Now Leading Health Concern Among Singaporean Tweens, Study Finds
Experts point to several contributing factors:
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Academic Pressure and Social Media: High expectations in school and the 24/7 presence of social media have led to increased stress, performance anxiety, and low self-esteem among children and teens.
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Family and Social Changes: Rising rates of family breakdowns, social isolation, and Westernized societal shifts have also been linked to a growing mental health burden.
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The Lingering Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic disrupted routines, isolated families, and created widespread uncertainty. This is particularly hard on young, developing minds.
“Clinically, mental health challenges often emerge early in life and, if unaddressed, can lead to years of lost potential,” said Professor Alina Rodriguez from NUS Medicine, one of the collaborators on the paper.
It’s Not Just Teens: Older Adults at Risk Too
The study also found a threefold rise in mental disorders among those aged 70 and above compared to 1990. As people live longer, depression often follows declining physical health, making mental health an important issue across all life stages.
What Can Parents Do?
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Watch for signs like mood swings, withdrawal, sleep disturbances, or academic decline.
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Start conversations early about emotions and mental well-being.
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Normalize seeking help — show your child that mental health care is just as important as physical health care.
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Reach out to school counselors, family doctors, or mental health helplines.
Resources for Parents and Families
Mental and emotional well-being is just as important as physical health. Parents who suspect their child is struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges can access support through various local resources:
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IMH Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24/7)
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Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 / WhatsApp 9151-1767 (24/7)
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Chat for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
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mindline.sg and tinklefriend.sg for self-help and chat support
The Takeaway
Mental Disorders Now Leading Health Concern Among Singaporean Tweens, Study Finds
Raising emotionally strong children means going beyond just physical health and academic achievements. This study is a reminder: mental health is health. If we want to support our children’s growth and potential, it starts with making space for their feelings, struggles, and healing.
Let’s not wait for crisis to care. Let’s start the conversation today.
Sources:
Lancet Public Health
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)
Straits Times
