Mental Health: an 'in' thing now?

The article reflects author's insights about youth challenges and well-being, which had partly been shared in a close discussion group-talk held by SMU IBFS (an Adhoc under SMU Muslim Society), on Let's Talk: Mental Health.

There have been a few recent developments with regards to mental health awareness and support in Singapore, coincidentally as we observe World Mental Health Day in October 2023. Albeit such awareness, issues surrounding mental health are still a taboo or stigma to talk about or discuss in our society. By definition, one might associate mental health with the absence of mental illness. But in reality, everyone is vulnerable to experiencing mental health issues, which include symptoms of anxieties, feelings of loss or hopelessness, low self-esteem and many more. In my understanding, mental well-being is the ability to feel at ease and peace with our own self, to be able to develop a healthy thought process and emotional resilience, and most importantly to subject our daily affairs according to the decree of the Higher Power as human being has limited freewill when it comes to matters beyond our control.

The latter explains the importance of relooking our lives from spiritual lens of our faith; integrating Islamic perspective or faith-based approach to understanding contemporary human problems that one might commonly has access to its resources in the secular world. This stance is in line with my understanding from attending a series of webinar organized by SUSS in September 2023, that summarized the importance of culturally-integrated counselling, as an approach to helping clients.

In Islamic worldview, it is an obligation for Muslims to learn how to take care of themselves, as Allah has created us with purpose and given us guidance through the Qur'an and Sunnah. Our ignorance to continue figuring out ourselves without these guidance is by itself a loss, such as what is depicted in Surah al-'Asr that 'indeed mankind is in a state of loss, except those who believe and do good, enjoin others in truth and in patience'.

The chapter translation of the Qur'an shared above also mean we should not downplay the role of religion and spirituality in mental health nor attribute mental illnesses exclusively to low faith and lack of religiosity. Whilst humans tend to be on their lows or feeling lost when afflicted with tests where they have difficulties coping with, it doesn't mean their faith is weakened by it. In turn, humans have the capability to raise themselves by learning how to manage their challenges, being accountable about it, and putting their trust in the Almighty. I would say this is termed as spiritual resilience.

Another verse that I would like to highlight is in Surah Yunus, verse 57, 'that mankind is given an admonition in the Qur'an, and healing for what is in the heart'. The spiritual heart yearns for Allah's reminders, hence going back to contemplating the verses of Qur'an by itself can benefit one. As the heart is capable of processing feelings, it is subjected to turmoil too. In my outreach to youths, I found a trend of Muslim youths who have symptoms depression and anxieties. They tend to worry about what shall come as they feel incapable or lost in handling certain things. They take time to evaluate matters or take action, as they do not want to face the failures or disappointment that could happen to them from families and their surroundings. Youths are also inherently full of energy and ideas, yet they could feel limited in themselves and in contributing to others too when they had been reprimanded for mistakes.

My encounters reflected the study by the Ministry of Health in its 2022 National Population Health Survey. It found that the highest proportion of people with poor mental health were from the 18 to 29 age group at 25.3 per cent. Another study by Duke-NUS Medical School and the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) published in May 2023 found that depression and anxiety among Singapore youth resulted in them missing an average of 190 hours, or 24 days, of year.

Youths facing insecurities could also be related to one's upbringing, in which we know that some Singaporeans are raised to achieve perfection, else being criticized for not performing well academically. Getting help or support when faced with stressful situations may also be considered weak by some. Eventually, these youths decided to keep things from their parents and teachers, or/and try to cope however they can regardless of its safety or even legality.

Our educational system is also rigorously challenging, as youths need to stay competitive to secure good educational institutions to further their studies, and that at least could secure some subsidies or scholarships to fund their education.

As much as it is important for parents to learn effective parenting skills to support their youths' mental health, youths who decide to consult professional help still face the crux of service fees, which could hinder them from seeking help. As much as I can offer first-line of support via my social media outreach (Instagram @letscope.youth), this group of youths are still out there needing our support. We need to collectively highlight the importance of mental health of youth by sharing pertinent culturally-integrated knowledge and preventive strategies that could mediate the issues youths face through platforms that they go to. It is hoped that it can eventually enhance their protective factors, as what the tagline of Let's Talk Mental Health is: 'bridging cultures, shaping minds and nurturing well-being'.

WAllahu a'lam.

References:

1. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/s-pore-launches-national-mental-health-and-well-being-strategy#:~:text=Some%201%2C500%20social%20service%20professionals,skills%20to%20help%20their%20children

2. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/students-vaping-vape-schools-hsa-moe-enforcement-3816361#:~:text=Offenders%20can%20be%20fined%20up%20to%20S%2410%2C000%2C%20jailed%20for,and%20smuggled%20into%20the%20country.