Community approach best wayto break stigma of mental illness
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Community approach best way to break down stigma of mental illness
By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 02 April 2010 1832 hrsSINGAPORE : A clinic specialising in psychiatric services has opened in Ang Mo Kio.
It is the third such clinic in the heartlands.
Experts said that using a community approach will help break down the stigma of mental illness.
The Nobel Psychological Wellness Clinic is located in a busy neighbourhood in Ang Mo Kio.
The name does not suggest psychiatric care, but this is what the clinic provides.
Inside, muted furnishings remind one of a spa. The waiting area of the clinic is quite small, and appointments are scheduled so that patients do not bump into one another.
In a society where the stigma of mental is still quite strong, and given the fact that the clinic is located within a housing estate, the sensitivity to patients' privacy is quite important.
The clinic has seen about 120 patients since opening in January.
About half of patients here have referrals from neighbourhood doctors, while the rest are walk-ins.
The clinic said this is a sign that people are more willing to seek help for mental issues.
The most common cases seen at the clinic are depression, stress and anxiety, as well as issues related to adjustment difficulties. The clinic also sees patients who come for help in coping with grief.
Dr Marcus Tan, medical director, Nobel Psychological Wellness Clinic, said: "Seeing a psychiatrist does not necessarily mean that person has a major mental disorder. More often than not, a large proportion of my patients are stressed because of relationship issues, or because of problems they encounter in daily life."
Another psychiatric clinic in the heartlands, located at Queenstown, is managed by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).
Patient numbers here are higher - about 2,000 each month, and include patients with more severe psychiatric ailments.
The Community Wellness Centre is located in the same building as a SingHealth polyclinic, so patients are less self-conscious about entering. Dr Lee Cheng, the chief of the Department of Community Psychiatry at IMH, added that calling it a "Community Wellness Centre" helps to draw attention away from any negative associations with psychiatric care.
The IMH also operates another community clinic in Geylang, and one on its premises at Buangkok.
The Geylang Behavioural Medicine Clinic sees about 1,300 patients each month.
Being in the heartlands means the clinic is able to work closer with GPs and family service centres.
It also regularly conducts talks to raise awareness of mental illnesses.
Despite outreach efforts, the centre said its presence still raises concerns.
Dr Lee Cheng said: "In a community for example, when the public gets to know that there may be patients with chronic mental disorders like maybe delusional disorders and schizophrenia, and they are coming to the clinic, they think whether these people are safe, will they pose a danger to society?"
Another concern is that some patients also suffer from alcohol or drug addictions, and could turn abusive against staff and residents. But Dr Lee stresses that only patients who are deemed stable by IMH doctors are allowed to be discharged.
Dr Lee Cheng said that so far, the centre has not received complaints from nearby residents in the two years it has been open.
He believes that the most effective way to treat mental illness is through the community, and said that this way, both the psychiatric and medical needs of the patient can be addressed. - CNA/ms -
Why in AMK and Geylang?
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Cos i work there
i am on the verge of madness
kekekekekeke
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sound like it.
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Frankly, AMK must be a stressful town to work and live.
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You bet
I am now Ten Side Ambush
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Originally posted by Mr Milo:
You bet
I am now Ten Side Ambush
You and your milo overdose.
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maybe i should try 10 tablespoon of Milo at one shot
see what happen
kekekekekekekeke
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Originally posted by Mr Milo:
maybe i should try 10 tablespoon of Milo at one shot
see what happen
kekekekekekekeke
Milo Godzilla...
no wonder All Milo Kills....
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if no kick, i shall try 40 tablespoons of Milo
this time it is direct injection into my veins
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Originally posted by Mr Milo:
if no kick, i shall try 40 tablespoons of Milo
this time it is direct injection into my veins
why dun go milo factory and swim in it?
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Direct injection gives instant and hours of "Milo" high, the effects far better than swimming in the factory