Resources and Articles
Websites
A great resource for anyone with ADHD or symptoms of ADHD.
Concerned that you may have ADHD? Here is a screening tool: https://www.additudemag.com/symptom-checker/
Please bear in mind that this tool is not diagnostic!
Mindline, A joint initiative with different organisations in Singapore including (MOHT and IMH), is a helpful self-guided tool. It is free to use, and can be used anonymously. There are resources available and also a chatbot, which is based on Wysa’s AI. Dr Chan was sceptical about this at first, but after interacting with it himself, he was quite impressed.
Stigma in mental health and seeking help
These are unprecedented times. The widespread disruption and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on our mental health, for some more than others. We are apprehensive not only about the potential spread of the virus, but also the impact it continues to have on our lives. This fear, worry and stress may trigger new symptoms among individuals without mental illness as well as aggravate those with previous or existing conditions.
Many patients are concerned about the stigma associated with seeking help for their mental health. The Institute of Mental Health (Singapore) conducted a national mental health literacy study in 2015. The results showed more than 88 percent of those who were surveyed said seeking help from a psychiatrist would be helpful for someone with a mental illness. The participants of the study felt the most harmful interventions were to deal with the problems on your own (64.6%), have an occasional drink to relax (55.4%), take sleeping pills prescribed by a doctor (39.1%), take antibiotics (34%) and be admitted to an institution (18.2%).
To measure stigma, researchers used scales to gauge people’s attitudes towards the individual suffering from a mental illness, as well as how willing they are to spend time with such persons. Sadly, almost nine in 10 respondents felt people with mental illness could get better if they wanted to, while half saw it as a sign of personal weakness. Nevertheless, about eight in 10 said they were willing to be friends or spend time with individuals with mental disorders. (https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/considerable-stigma-towards-mentally-ill-imh-study)
Let’s all do our part to create more awareness and address stigma in mental health.