Youth Mental Health & Suicide Prevention - Fireside Chat | Well-Being Series
Well-Being Series
Youth Mental Health & Suicide Prevention - Fireside Chat
Date: Saturday, 11th September 2021
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm SGT (GMT +08)
If you can't attend the session, do sign up to receive the replay link which will be emailed afterward to all those that have registered.
Synopsis
September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Mental health is a clear and urgent issue - it is the next major epidemic. Youth mental health issues have been on the rise, even before the onset of the pandemic. Research has shown that fully one in four youths in the industrialised world suffer from some form of mental health issues. Youth suicides have been going up steadily around the world in recent years. In Singapore, suicides for youths aged 10-19 had doubled year-over-year. Suicide is now the leading cause of death for youths for this age group. 22% of children in Singapore have suicidal thoughts. More and more young people are engaging in self harm.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated an already alarming situation - especially among youth. A recent poll showed that > 50% youths (globally) are adversely impacted by the pandemic. It is a crisis that needs immediate attention and action.
Some of the questions we will explore during this fireside chat:
How prevalent is mental illness among youth in Singapore? Has there been enough recognition of this issue?
What are unique pressures that youths today have to deal with, that may negatively impact their mental health? What are some of the common triggers of emotional anxieties or psychological distress?
Acts of self-harm etc., are often a cry for help — but with suicide, it suggests that all hope is lost. In what circumstances do people see suicide as a 'solution'? What are warning signs that friends and loved ones should note?
Facts & Myths:
1) People who talk about suicide won’t do it
2) Suicide occurs without warning
3) Suicidal people don’t want to die
4) Asking someone if they are feeling suicidal will put the idea in their head
We often hear an older generation saying that the youths of today lack resilience. What is your opinion?
What can parents do - what can teachers do - what can society do - what can all of us do - to contribute to the prevention in youth suicide, and improvement in their mental well-being?
YOUR SPEAKERS: PROFESSOR MYTHILY SUBRAMANIAM, DOREEN KHO, LAI CHUN WONG and VYDA CHAI
YOUR MODERATOR: YEN-LU CHOW
Professor Mythily Subramaniam is the Assistant Chairman of the Medical Board & Director of Research for the Institute of Mental Health , as well as the Associate Professor at Saw Swee Hock School Of Public Health and a consultant with the Ministry of Health, Singapore.
She has worked in the field of mental health for 15+ years. She was the Co-Principal Investigator of three nation-wide studies – the first and second Singapore Mental Health Study, surveys that established the prevalence of select mental disorders in the adult population of Singapore; and the well-being of the Singapore Elderly study, a survey among older adults that aims to establish the prevalence, risk factors and cost associated with dementia in Singapore. Her work has resulted in over 400 publications which have been widely cited, and has worked with policy makers, planners and other stakeholders to ensure relevant and the use of the findings in policy formulation, programme development and public education.
She has worked in the field of mental health for 15+ years. She was the Co-Principal Investigator of three nation-wide studies – the first and second Singapore Mental Health Study, surveys that established the prevalence of select mental disorders in the adult population of Singapore; and the well-being of the Singapore Elderly study, a survey among older adults that aims to establish the prevalence, risk factors and cost associated with dementia in Singapore. Her work has resulted in over 400 publications which have been widely cited, and has worked with policy makers, planners and other stakeholders to ensure relevant and the use of the findings in policy formulation, programme development and public education.
Lai Chun Wong is a Behavioural Consultant, Life Coach and Global Master Trainer. She has 10+ years experience in the social service sector of which 8 years was in Crisis work. She was formerly the Senior Assistant Director of Samaritans of Singapore. She published a book in 2019 - ‘Do I Matter’, which focused on building a healthy self-esteem. Lai Chun is also a trained Trainer in 'Applied Suicide Intervention Skills, a certified Life Coach and Behavioural Consultant. She has years of experience training locally and internationally, and spoken at international conferences, company-wide events, as well as on radio and TV programmes. She recently joined the Over the Rainbow (OTR) team as Executive Director of OTR Listens to develop and manage this new realtime chatline platform.
Vyda Chai is a Clinical Psychologist / Director and a founding partner of 2 private practices in Singapore; Think Kids and Think Psychological Services. She had significant experience in dealing with psychological issues for both children and adults across Asia Pacific in both private practice and hospital settings.
Vyda has 18+ years extensive experience and specialisation in diagnosis, psychological assessment and treatment of children and adults with developmental disorders, such as; autism, ADHD, selective mutism amongst other developmental and clinical problems, a broad range of anxiety disorders and depression, sleep, self-esteem, complicated grief/loss, self-harm, often in the context of childhood abuse and/or trauma.
About Asia Institute of Mentoring
Asia Institute of Mentoring (AIM) is a non-profit organization with a mission to bring mentoring to the spotlight in Asia, raise the quality of mentors and the standard of mentoring, bringing mentoring to all facets of the society to impact millions of lives.
It is committed to creating an Asia-based people-powered mentoring movement to move people … to learn, to share, to believe, to give forward, to transform, to harness the deep human potential, and create social impact – bringing about a kinder, gentler, more inclusive, just and sustainable world for all. Join us as a member here.
