23 April 2019
More students from Singapore’s schools are seeking help at the Institute of Mental Health for stress.
The clinics saw an average of about 2,400 new cases every year from 2012 to 2017.
Dr Lim Choon Guan, senior consultant and deputy chief of IMH’s department of developmental psychiatry, said: “Over the past few years, I have seen more teenagers in our clinic who are from top schools and report experiencing school-related stress.”
Experts say that pressures faced by students are real. These pressures could come from the home or school environment or even themselves.
Though the Ministry of Education has expanded the university cohort to provide more opportunities, students still face stressors, such as the desire to get into the best courses and prestigious schools.
Many schools have implemented a peer support system to motivate students and encourage students to seek help from trusted adults.