(ii) Addressing the barriers to reaching out for support for your child
Like your child, you may also have some worries and concerns about your child seeking support for their mental health. Remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but one of resilience and courage, and doing so early is important for better recovery.
Here are some common concerns parents may have:
“I don’t want others to treat my child differently.”
“I don’t want my child to have a mental health record that might negatively affect their future.”
“I don’t know if mental health interventions will work for my child.”
“I don’t want my child to suffer side effects from medication.”
“I don’t know what the intervention process is like.”
“I don’t know how much mental health interventions may cost.”
“I want to help my child, but I don’t have the time.”
“I don’t want others to treat my child differently.”
It is understandable to worry about how your child will be viewed by others if they receive support for their mental health. It is also likely that your child may have similar concerns (e.g. judgement from others). However, despite difficulties in openly discussing mental health, it is not an uncommon experience.
According to the Singapore Youth Epidemiology and Resilience (YEAR) Study (2023) conducted by the National University of Singapore, 1 in 3 youths (aged 10 to 18) in Singapore experienced symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, and loneliness. As such, it is important to raise awareness and talk about mental health and well-being openly so that it may become easier for people to discuss their experiences.
While receiving professional help can be a big step to take, it is key in preventing your child’s mental health from worsening. As a parent, you have the power to be your child’s biggest ally. You can do so by showing them that you prioritise their well-being and want to involve them in their own process of seeking professional help.
Your care and support will be crucial in helping your child navigate any judgment from others or tough conversations that may come their way. The opinions of others should not prevent you from ensuring that your child gets the right support they need.
“I don’t want my child to have a mental health record that might negatively affect their future.”
Many parents (and youths themselves) may be worried about the perceived long-term impact that a recorded mental health diagnosis might have on their child’s prospects, such as their future career or education.
However, government agencies have put in place policies and guidelines that require fair hiring practices to be applied to everyone, including those with mental health conditions. Agencies are also educating employers to ensure that they understand and follow these guidelines.
Under the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, companies should not ask job applicants to declare personal information, which includes their mental health conditions, unless it is a job-related requirement.
Click here to read the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
Companies can also follow the recommendations in the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Health and Well-being at Workplaces here to support the mental health and well-being of employees.
“I don’t know if mental health interventions will work for my child.”
There are a wide range of interventions that have been shown to effectively address mental health struggles in children and youths. As it can be daunting to identify which interventions are effective and suitable for your child, seeking advice from professionals can ease the process. They will be able to explain the interventions in detail (e.g. what the intervention involves) and answer any questions you and your child may have.
When you approach a mental health professional, you can ask them for more details about:
The type of intervention plan that is appropriate for your child
Whether the interventions in your child’s plan have been shown to be effective or evidence-informed
“I don’t want my child to suffer side effects from medication.”
Most people who need help managing their mental health benefit from a combination of different forms of support (e.g. from family and peers, counselling without medication, psychotherapy without medication, or psychotherapy with medication). Whether your child is given medication will depend on the mental health professional’s assessment.
If your child is recommended medication, the mental health professional will inform you and your child of potential side effects (if any) and ways to manage them. It is also usually prescribed in combination with psychotherapy sessions, where your child will learn and practice healthier ways to cope with their feelings.
Remember, medication is not a ‘magic pill’ that instantly solves or cures problems with mental health. It is crucial that your child follows the support and intervention plan recommended by the professionals supporting them.
Their mental health professional will also review the intervention plan with you and your child periodically, to ensure it is still suited to your child’s needs and that any side effects are managed appropriately.
Click here to find out more about psychiatric medications published on the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) website.
“I don’t know what the intervention process is like.”
It is normal to feel as though seeking help for mental health is challenging, especially when unsure of how the process may look like or what to expect during intervention. However, you can be assured that your child’s mental health professional will help them navigate different intervention options and ensure they receive intervention that meets their needs.
Here is what you and your child can expect during your first conversation with a mental health professional:
Your child can share about how they are feeling and what led them to seek support.
The professional will try to understand your child's situation, as well as get to know them better.
The professional will invite you and your child to share intervention goals, or outcomes you both wish to see at the end of the intervention.
The professional will assess what has been shared with them and involve you and your child in a discussion on what to do next.
You can learn more about different intervention options and how to get started with seeking help here.
“I don’t know how much mental health interventions may cost.”
There are many tiers of mental health services and support to help those struggling with their mental health. As such, the cost of getting mental health intervention can vary, depending on which tier of support your child needs. Upon assessment, your mental health service provider can best advise you on the estimated cost of the support or intervention required.
Here are some healthcare subsidies and schemes available to help lower the cost of mental health services and make it more affordable as well as accessible. You can also check with your insurance company if their policies cover the cost of mental health services.
Subsidies for Outpatient Treatments at Public Healthcare Institutions (PHIs)
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents can receive up to 75% subsidies at polyclinics and specialist
outpatient clinics in public hospitals.
Click here to find out more about Subsidies for Specialist Outpatient Care, and here to find out more about drug subsidies at PHIs on the Ministry of Health
(MOH)'s website.
MediSave for Outpatient Treatments under the Chronic Disease Management Programme
(CDMP)
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia are mental health conditions covered under the
CDMP. Up to $500 or $700, depending on the complexity of the condition, per MediSave account a year can
be used for outpatient treatments, subject to 15% cash co-payment. This cash co-payment will be waived
for Healthier SG enrolees seeking treatment at their enrolled clinics.
Click here to
find out more about MediSave on MOH's website.
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
Singaporeans who are CHAS, Pioneer Generation (PG), or
Merdeka Generation (MG) cardholders can receive subsidies at participating CHAS General Practitioner
(GP) clinics based on the CHAS, PG, or MG card they hold. CHAS chronic subsidies are available for
mental health conditions under the CDMP at selected clinics.
You can call the CHAS hotline (1800 275 2427) for more information or click here to find out more about CHAS.
Subsidies for Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Care at PHIs
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents accommodated in subsidised acute inpatient wards (C, B2, B2+) can receive up to 80% subsidies for inpatient mental health treatment at PHIs.
Click here to find out more about Subsidies for Acute Inpatient Care on MOH's website.
MediSave for Inpatient Psychiatric Episodes
If the mental health condition leads to an admission to the hospital for at least 8 hours, you can use up to $150 of your MediSave per day for daily hospital charges (maximum of $5,000 a year).
Click here to find out more about MediSave on MOH's website.
MediShield Life Inpatient (Psychiatric)
If the mental health condition leads to an admission to the hospital, up to $160 per inpatient day for up to 60 days per policy year can be claimed from MediShield Life, a basic health insurance scheme that covers all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.
Click here to find out more about MediShield Life on MOH's website.
If, despite Government subsidies, insurance, and MediSave, you still have trouble affording your child’s mental health treatments, you can make use of MediFund which is available at Public Healthcare Institutions (PHIs) as a safety net to support Singaporeans and ensure no Singaporean is denied access to subsidised care due to an inability to pay. You, your child, or other family members can approach the medical social workers at PHIs for assistance.
“I want to help my child, but I don’t have the time.”
As you may often be busy with work and/or many other obligations, it is understandable to feel worried about not being able to find enough time to support your child. Fortunately, research has shown that the quality of time parents spend with their children is more important than its quantity.
To ensure your child feels supported by you and increase the likelihood of them reaching out to you for help, here are some ways you can intentionally spend quality time with them:
Make time for them
Let your child know that you are there for them
If you are unavailable to speak at the moment they approach you, let them know you want to be there to listen to them and provide a specific time that the conversation can happen
Put aside distractions such as digital devices during mealtimes
Use the opportunity to engage your child and have conversations instead
Offer to accompany them to their interventions when you have time
You can take advantage of holidays to schedule appointments
Set aside 5-15 minutes a day (e.g. before bedtime) to have a private moment with them
You can take this time to chat with your child about their day or listen to any concerns they may have
