There is no health without mental health.

Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Mental health is a national priority in Singapore. While the recent 2023 National Population Health Survey showed that there was an improvement in the mental health of the general population between 2022 and 2023, younger adults aged 18 to 29 remained more affected than other age groups, with about 26 per cent of them reporting poor mental health.

We, at ST, want to normalise conversations about mental health so that people can get timely support. This is super important because there is no health without mental health.

This is why we’re starting a year-long Mental Health Series, which will feature a package of stories focusing on mental health every month.

We will talk to people with mental health conditions about the challenges they face, and what they do to manage their conditions. 

We will also look at the evolving mental health landscape here, and tell you what is changing.

In this podcast, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo talks to two guests about their help seeking journey. 

They are her colleague Lee Li Ying, who’s a correspondent at ST and Yusri Shaggy Sapari, a freelance filmmaker.

Highlights (click/tap above)

4:35 Li Ying’s first visit to a psychiatrist  

9:13 Shaggy’s help-seeking journey via the polyclinic route 

13:06 What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a counsellor?  

18:13 Tips for those thinking of seeking help

Check out ST's new series, No health without mental health: https://str.sg/mentalhealthmatters

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

Host: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

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