Approximately one in seven people (13.4% in 2020, rising to 17% in 2022) in Singapore has experienced a mental disorder, with rates rising particularly among older residents over 70.

Mental illness in Singapore affects roughly one in seven people, with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) being among the most common, especially among young adults. While awareness is growing, stigma still causes significant delays in seeking help, with a median of 11 years for OCD. The government is actively enhancing care through national strategies to improve mental health literacy and access to support. 

Mental health awareness is growing in Singaporean churches, but significant gaps remain in equipping leaders to support those with mental illness. While 1 in 7 Singaporeans struggles with mental health, churches often struggle to balance spiritual guidance with professional care, with 85% of survey respondents feeling that more needs to be done.

The Bible offers us truths about God and humans that can make us “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Salvation is wholeness of spirit, soul and body. This includes a sound mind, a healthy mind.  My acquaintance Kirby Chua is an author of “The Bible’s Secrets to Counselling” with the tagline “helping you access scientific psychology through the light of God’s word”. He is the founder of Grace Counselling Centre. He is a registered psychologist and clinical supervisor with over 15 years of field practice. He has trained over a thousand counsellors and psychologists in both Singapore and the Philippines. He lectured at James Cook University, the University of Wollongong, and the SIT.  Yet he is unassuming and authentic – marks of a secure person. He is a natural on YouTube, where he shares contextualised nuggets from his research in an engaging and relatable way. He advocates for mental health, and below is a sample of what he shares online. Do like and subscribe as a vote for mental health.