Quality

Mental health recovery is often nonlinear and involves various forms of treatment. With one third 131(33.2%) of our respondents expressing concerns about the quality of mental healthcare, this signals a need to look into how we can improve mental health services in order to provide more support and options to those who need them.

28(7.1%) of respondents indicated the importance of talking therapies (psychology, counselling) alongside medication.

Respondent #157: “There are times when a client is not ready or equipped to deal with their trauma or situation. It will be great to sit with them and not push them to recover. Also at times, doctors overly emphasise on medications. Yes, it's their job to do so, and my hope is that doctors can see beyond medications because what a person learn and grow from their struggles carries more weight to their recovery and future. Medications are important, but there are many more tools needed to have holistic and good health care.”
Respondent #18: “My dad stabilised on medication so it was fine but he might have improved better if there were alternatives to consider for his treatment. His doctors did the best they could for him with the resources at their disposal and we are glad he has improved. “

26(6.6%) of respondents felt that treatment informed by feedback was important.

Respondent #90: “My very first interaction with a mental health practitioner was with a school counsellor in 2014. She did not ask for my consent or inform me prior to asking my parents in for a family meeting. Nor did she inform me that we were going to end our sessions, just when I was starting to have something to look forward to each week. She asked if I was suicidal without first building any rapport & when I said no she just left it at that. She did ask what we would like to work on that day, but other than that did not seek feedback.”
Respondent #96: “The 3 psychiatrists and 1 therapist/ counsellor I met in CGH were VERY helpful, professional and compassionate. CGH has a feedback form which I gladly filled a number of times.”
Respondent #97: “I understand the difficulties of such a job and commend those who do their best despite the nature of their clients. No they have not asked for feedback, but it would be appreciated."

56(15.3%) did not think that the services of mental healthcare professionals were satisfactory.

Respondent #118: “My experience with my mental health practitioner was not great... During our last session, after listening to me talk about my anxiety, the therapist told me that my problems weren't "real problems" and that she had other patients who had actual problems with things like self-harm. I was 15 at the time and I couldn't help but feel like I was being shamed and judged by someone I had confided in. Since then I've been unable to reach out to mental health services even when I've desperately felt the need to, for fear of something like that happening again.”
Respondent #215: “[The professionals I saw] all didn't care, couldn't care less. They were all drained and had no energy or life force to help others anymore [...]”

48(12.2%) respondents encountered confidentiality issues with their healthcare providers.

Respondent #266: “As a student in Singapore it was really difficult for me to speak up about what I was feeling to adults as there was a fear that they would not understand, especially for more conservative members of my family who might not understand what mental illnesses are. Counselling in school did not guarantee confidentiality from my family and I was afraid that the counsellors would inform my parents.”
Respondent #166: “I was lucky-my parents could afford private healthcare, which has significant costs. I did not want to seek help at public resources due to concerns of confidentiality in the public healthcare system.”