Singapore reports a low level of mental illnesses among its citizens

From AsiaOne:

The prevalence of mental illnesses Singapore is generally lower or comparable to other developed countries, said Health Minister Mr Khaw Boon Wan in a written reply.

Replying to Mr Seah Kian Peng, who asked for a figure breakdown of Singaporeans afflicted with mental illness, Mr Khaw emphasised that the condition encompasses a wide range of disorders, from anxiety to depression, many of which are mild.

As such conditions are not notifiable diseases, precise numbers are unavailable. Instead, countries conduct periodic health surveys to ascertain the prevalence of mental illness in their populations, he said.

Based on a 2004 World Health Organisation survey, the prevalence in Singapore is generally lower or comparable to other developed countries.

For example, the rates for anxiety were 18.2 per cent in the United States, 12 per cent in France, 5.3 per cent in Japan, and 3.4 per cent in Singapore.

As for depression, the prevalence rates were 9.6 per cent in the US, 8.5 per cent in France, 5.6 per cent in Singapore, and 3.1 per cent in Japan.