COVID-19 and its Impact on Mental Health

“I became suicidal as mental health services were initially not prioritised and not being able to see my therapist destabilized me. Thereafter after the successful appeal i was prioritised and allowed to be seen weekly as I was still at high risk.”

Three statements in the poll referred to COVID-19 and its potential impact on participants:

•  The restrictions on social interactions / activities since COVID 19 hit has negatively affected my mental health (n=557)
• Changes to work/school arrangements during COVID has negatively affected my mental well being (n=548)
• I think government initiatives to address the lack of job opportunities among fresh graduates due to COVID 19 are sufficient (n=541)

With regard to the statement on the impact of restrictions on social interactions/activities, a majority of participants reported that they were impacted by restrictions on social interaction/activities; specifically, a majority of participants agreed that it had negatively affected their mental health (51.2%). 

Similarly, many felt they were impacted by changes to work and schooling arrangements as a result of COVID-19-related restrictions; specifically, a majority of participants agreed that it had negatively affected their mental health (44.3%). 

Finally, we also asked participants’ perspectives on government initiatives to address the lack of job opportunities among fresh graduates due to COVID-19; participants were split between agreeing (34.4%) or disagreeing (35.3%) with the statement, with many being undecided (30.3%).

Statement: The restrictions on social interactions/activities since COVID 19 hit have negatively affected my mental health. 

In multivariable analysis, we found that (i) residence status, (ii) income, and (iii) past mental health experiences were associated with agreement to this statement. 

With regard to residence status, results indicate that Singapore permanent residents were 1.33 times more likely than Singapore citizens to agree with the statement. With regard to income. In general, those who were earning an income were more likely than those who did not have an income to agree to the statement. Some nuances were observed: those of lower and higher income brackets were more likely to agree (<$2999) and those of the highest income ($9000+) were more likely to agree to the statement. With regard to past mental health experience, in general, those who identified as ever facing mental health challenges were more likely to agree to the statement. Those who ever sought help were 1.63 times, while those who never sought help were 1.52 times than those who don’t identify as having mental health challenges to agree with the statement.

“Got diagnosed with depression. I also couldn’t see my (very few) friends nor my therapist since they were deemed to be “non-essential.” While I had therapy online, it definitely did not have the same impact as my usual face-to-face sessions.”

Statement: Changes to work/school arrangements during COVID has negatively affected my mental well being. 

In multivariable analysis, we found that (i) age and (ii) past mental health experiences were associated with agreement to this statement. 

With regard to age, those who were 45-54 years old were less likely than those aged 24 and below to agree with the statement. With regard to mental health experience, in general, those who identified as ever facing mental health challenges were more likely to agree to the statement. Those who ever sought help were 1.85 times, while those who never sought help were 1.61 times more than those who don’t identify as having mental health challenges to agree with the statement.

“Being at home most of the time made managing my health a challenge as I relied on going out and meeting people to keep me occupied and distracted from my negative thoughts.”

Statement: I think government initiatives to address the lack of job opportunities among fresh graduates due to COVID 19 are sufficient. 

In multivariable analysis (See Appendix A-3), we found that occupation was associated with agreement to this statement. With regard to occupation, those who were working in admin/clerical occupations were 2.11 times more likely than those who were unemployed to agree to the statement. 

With regard to age, those who were 45-54 years old were less likely than those aged 24 and below to agree with the statement. With regard to mental health experience, in general, those who identified as ever facing mental health challenges were more likely to agree to the statement. Those who ever sought help were 1.85 times, while those who never sought help were 1.61 times more than those who don’t identify as having mental health challenges to agree with the statement.

“Being at home most of the time made managing my health a challenge as I relied on going out and meeting people to keep me occupied and distracted from my negative thoughts.”

Statement: I think government initiatives to address the lack of job opportunities among fresh graduates due to COVID 19 are sufficient. 

In multivariable analysis (See Appendix A-3), we found that occupation was associated with agreement to this statement. With regard to occupation, those who were working in admin/clerical occupations were 2.11 times more likely than those who were unemployed to agree to the statement.