A survey by CARE Singapore and Milieu Insight reveals key mental health challenges among Singapore’s youth, uncovering stressors and barriers to seeking support.

Does asking for help feel like a burden on your loved ones? For nearly half of Singaporean youth struggling with mental health challenges, this is their reality, according to a recent study by CARE Singapore (Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association) and data analytics company Milieu Insight.

This reluctance to seek support – particularly among those with moderate to severe depressive symptoms – highlights a growing concern in youth mental health in Singapore.

More on the Survey

Conducted between June and July 2024, the survey gathered responses from 1,000 participants aged 16 to 35. Using the PHQ-9 screening tool, which measures the severity of depressive symptoms, the study revealed troubling trends:

15% of respondents exhibited severe depressive symptoms, echoing similar findings from the National Youth Mental Health Study by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).

Youths who were experiencing distress were ...