Why Some Seniors in Singapore Still Don’t Believe in Mental Illness
Many older Singaporeans grew up in a time when mental illness wasn’t openly discussed. If you ask a senior about depression or anxiety, they might wave it off. Some genuinely feel such conditions are not real illnesses, just a part of life one must endure. It’s a tricky situation. On one hand, mental health awareness has improved across generations; on the other, a number of seniors remain doubtful or even dismissive about it. Why does this happen, and what can we do about it? Let’s explore the reasons behind this gap in belief.
Generational Attitudes and Cultural Stigma
One key factor is culture and upbringing. Many of today’s seniors were raised in more conservative, collective societies. Talking about personal feelings or mental struggles was often taboo – it could be seen as a sign of weakness or even bring shame to the family. Maintaining one’s reputation (“saving face”) was paramount. Admitting to mental illness might have invited gossip or stigma in the past, so they learned not to. In traditional Asian culture, family honor and pride are valued highly, and an “anomaly” like mental illness can be viewed as a disgrace. The need to save face and retain honor has led many to downplay or trivialize mental health issues, as acknowledging them could be seen as a loss of social standing. This mindset has been passed down through generations, reinforcing the idea that emotional suffering should be borne quietly.
Stigma is powerful. In those days, someone with mental illness might be labeled “crazy” and avoided. This fear of being ostracized sticks with people. Even now, some seniors would rather call someone “stressful” or “difficult” than accept that they are depressed or anxious. It feels safer to deny the label than to face what it implies. A study in Singapore highlighted that older generations are often less familiar with mental health issues and more prone to cultural misconceptions about them. In their eyes, being depressed might just mean you’re weak, or not trying hard enough. There’s a lingering notion that one should just “be strong and get over it”, because that’s how they survived tough times before.
“It’s Just Part of Getting Old”
Another reason some seniors don’t believe in mental illness is that they misinterpret it as a normal part of ageing. It’s common to hear things like, “Of course I feel down – I’m old, it’s normal to be sad or forgetful at this age.” Many truly think conditions like depression or memory loss are just natural signs of growing old, not medical issues. In fact, older people’s depression or anxiety is sometimes brushed off by family and friends who say the senior is “thinking too much” or simply “getting forgetful”, treating these symptoms as nothing more than getting older. This misunderstanding means that real disorders go unrecognized.
But here’s the important part: Depression is not an inevitable part of ageing, and neither are other mental illnesses. According to health experts, most older adults actually feel satisfied with their lives and do not automatically become depressed just because they are old. Depression is a medical condition at any age and it can be treated. Yet if a senior believes their low mood or confusion is “just age,” they may never seek help. They might not even mention it to their doctor, assuming nothing can be done. This is a critical misconception. By treating serious symptoms as “normal”, many seniors end up suffering in silence without the support or treatment that could improve their quality of life.
To make matters worse, mental health education only became widespread relatively recently. Back when today’s seniors were young, there was very little public talk about mental well-being. They might not have the vocabulary or concepts to describe what they feel. If you’ve never heard terms like “anxiety disorder” or “clinical depression”, you’re less likely to believe they’re real. It’s not that our seniors are ignorant – these ideas simply weren’t part of their world when they formed their beliefs. A lot of older Singaporeans also speak mainly Mandarin, Malay, Tamil or dialects, and discussions about mental health in those languages have been limited historically. Without understanding, mental illness remains an abstract or foreign concept to them.
Pride, Stoicism, and the “Just Cope” Mentality
Many seniors take pride in having weathered life’s storms without complaining. They’ve lived through wars, poverty, societal upheavals. In their youth, there was often no choice but to “just cope”. This builds a mindset that one should handle problems privately and not burden others. Opening up about sadness or fear can feel deeply uncomfortable for them – maybe even shameful. One mental health commentary in Singapore noted that older adults often keep their emotional suffering to themselves, thinking it’s a normal part of ageing and not wanting to be a burden to family. In their eyes, asking for help or going to a counselor might be seen as burdening their children or admitting they can’t handle life. That’s a hard step for a generation that values independence and stoicism.
There’s also an element of denial: “If I don’t talk about it, it’s not really there.” Admitting you have a mental health issue can be frightening. It becomes “real.” Some seniors might fear being put in a nursing home or hospitalized if they confess to serious issues. Others are simply uncomfortable discussing personal feelings, topics like loneliness, despair, or hopelessness might never have been shared even with close family. So they bottle it up. Family members might only notice subtle signs: irritability, withdrawal, loss of interest in things, or somatic complaints like aches and pains. The senior might still insist, “I’m fine, nothing is wrong,” if asked. This wall of silence is a defense built over decades.
Furthermore, a lifetime of self-reliance leads some to view therapy or counseling with skepticism. To them, the idea of paying a stranger just to talk about your problems might seem absurd or self-indulgent. They survived so long without this “luxury,” so why start now? This perspective isn’t stubbornness for its own sake, it’s rooted in their past reality. Mental health care wasn’t as accessible or normalized before. Many seniors had never met a psychologist or therapist when they were younger. So even now, the concept feels alien. They trust family, close friends, or religious faith in times of trouble, not therapists. It’s a huge paradigm shift to see talking to a professional as normal or beneficial.
Low Awareness and Misinformation
Because mental illness was seldom talked about openly, misinformation abounds. Some older folks carry myths about mental health that simply aren’t true. For example, a senior might believe that if you see a psychiatrist, you’ll be forced to take heavy drugs or be locked away. They might recall outdated portrayals of mental hospitals or worry about side effects of psychiatric medication. Indeed, it’s observed that seniors can be reluctant to try solutions like therapy or medication – they might refuse antidepressants out of fear of side effects or cost, and feel very self-conscious about speaking to a counselor. To someone who has never experienced modern mental health care, these treatments can seem drastic or even frightening.
Another common misconception is conflating mental illness with severe insanity. A senior may say, “I’m not crazy, so I don’t have a mental illness.” In their mind, mental illness = out-of-control behavior or psychosis that they’ve seen in extreme cases. They might not realize that common issues like chronic anxiety or mild depression also fall under mental health conditions – and that these too deserve attention. Because of this, a person could be severely depressed yet still insist “I’m not mentally ill” since they aren’t hallucinating or ranting on the street. It’s a narrow and outdated view, but it persists among those who haven’t been exposed to current understanding of mental health.
Even physical symptoms can be misattributed. An elderly man might experience fatigue, poor sleep, and loss of appetite – classic depression signs – but he or his family might think it’s just his diabetes or heart problem acting up. Everything gets blamed on old age or other illnesses, masking the underlying depression. In Singapore, many seniors also tend to visit general physicians for physical complaints and rarely mention mood or emotions unless asked. If the doctors don’t probe, the mental aspect stays hidden. This lack of holistic view means many cases of senior depression go undiagnosed, or are only discovered when something drastic happens.
It’s heartbreaking, but not surprising, that mental health issues among Singapore’s seniors often go misunderstood or ignored altogether. Studies and anecdotal reports by healthcare workers have pointed out that a lot of elderly patients’ emotional struggles remain beneath the surface, unaddressed. They might present with a “quiet exterior” that masks deeply felt pain. After all, if one doesn’t believe in mental illness, one certainly won’t acknowledge having it or seek help for it. The consequence is a hidden suffering that can take a serious toll on their well-being.
The Cost of Not Believing
When seniors dismiss mental illness, the impact can be severe. Untreated depression or anxiety doesn’t just go away on its own because someone refuses to recognize it. Instead, it can worsen. We’ve seen cases where elderly individuals become progressively withdrawn, stop taking care of themselves, or even turn to suicide because they felt utterly hopeless and never got help. In Singapore, officials have raised alarms about mental health among the elderly, noting that a significant proportion of suicide cases involve seniors. It’s a stark reminder that behind the “I’m fine, it’s nothing” may lie a profound despair.
Another cost is the strain on families. When an older parent or grandparent constantly says “No need for doctor, I’m not crazy” but clearly struggles, their loved ones feel helpless. Family members may not know how to convince a stubborn elder to see a counselor or even talk about what’s bothering them. This can create frustration or guilt on both sides. The senior might feel their family is nagging or disrespecting their pride, while the family feels shut out and worried about the ticking time bomb behind that stoic face.
Moreover, physical health can deteriorate when mental health is ignored. Depression in seniors has been linked to poorer outcomes in illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. If someone doesn’t believe depression is real, they might not mention lack of appetite or poor sleep to their doctor, so the doctor can’t fully help them. Quality of life suffers quietly. A grandmother who could be enjoying golden years with proper support might instead spend days in bed, and no one addresses it because she and everyone around assume “that’s just what old age looks like.” It’s truly a missed opportunity for better health and happiness.
There’s also the societal cost. As Singapore’s population ages rapidly, having a large segment of seniors who silently endure mental health issues is worrying. These are people who could otherwise be living more engaged, content lives with their families and communities. Instead, misconceptions and stigma rob them of that chance. It’s not just about statistics – it’s about our parents, grandparents, former teachers, hawker uncles and aunties; people who contributed so much in their prime, now left vulnerable by a gap in understanding. It feels like we, as a society, owe it to them to bridge this gap.
Signs of Change and How to Help
The good news is that times are changing. Mental health awareness in Singapore has grown in recent years, and this does extend to the elderly to some degree. Community centers, healthcare groups, and even government campaigns have started to include seniors in conversations about mental well-being. For example, there are more mental health screenings at polyclinics and outreach programs at senior activity centers now than before. We’re seeing efforts to educate older adults about conditions like dementia and depression, often in their mother tongue or through relatable examples. Some seniors are becoming more open to learning about these issues, especially as they see friends or public figures talk about them.
Family plays a huge role in facilitating this change. In many cases, an elderly person might only accept new ideas when they come from a trusted loved one. According to experts, family members and friends are “critical” in encouraging seniors to attend mental health talks or workshops and get more familiar with these topics. A gentle nudge from a daughter to join a community center talk on “healthy ageing” (which might include mental health tips), or a grandson discussing an article about senior depression, can plant important seeds. The key is patience and empathy. Yelling at Grandpa that “depression is real, you need a doctor” likely won’t work – but having a heartfelt conversation about how everyone can feel down and it’s okay to seek help might slowly chip away at his skepticism.
Healthcare providers are also adapting. Doctors who treat older patients have noted that building trust and rapport is essential to get seniors to open up about mental struggles. A senior might not immediately confess feeling anxious, but after a few visits with a caring GP or specialist, they may reveal it. That’s why continuity of care is important – when the elderly see the same doctor regularly, there’s more chance they’ll feel comfortable mentioning “by the way, I haven’t been sleeping” or “sometimes I feel life has no meaning.” Singapore’s healthcare system is moving toward integrating mental health into primary care (for instance, under Healthier SG, more polyclinics will offer mental health services in coming years). This means seniors can get screened and treated for issues like depression during routine check-ups, normalizing the idea that mental health is just health.
For families and caregivers, communication strategies matter. Nagging or dismissing a senior’s feelings can backfire. Instead, experts suggest listening without quick reassurances or judgments. If Grandpa says “I feel useless these days,” instead of replying “No lah, you think too much,” one could encourage him to talk more about it: What makes him feel that way? Acknowledge his emotions: “It sounds really tough to feel like that. I’m sorry you’re going through this.” Such conversations validate that his feelings are real – which is the first step to him accepting that maybe, just maybe, this is something that can be helped. Often, showing empathy and sharing a bit of your own struggles (in a way he can relate to) can humanize the concept of mental health. It tells the senior: you’re not alone in this; everyone has emotional challenges, and there’s no shame in it.
Another approach is to involve peers. Some seniors respond better when they hear from friends of their generation. Peer support groups or just casual chit-chat among kakis about feeling lonely or stressed can make an individual think, “Ah, it’s not just me.” Singapore has started initiatives like outreach by senior ambassadors – basically older volunteers trained to be friendly listeners and to spot signs of mental distress in their peers. This peer-to-peer approach can be powerful because it overcomes the hierarchy; it’s not a young person lecturing them, but a friend sharing. It creates a safe space for seniors to express themselves without fear of looking “crazy” or weak.
Encouraging Seniors to Embrace Mental Wellness
Changing deeply ingrained beliefs isn’t easy. We can’t expect an 80-year-old who’s been avoiding the topic for decades to suddenly say “Yes, I have a mental health condition and I’ll see a psychiatrist.” But small shifts are possible and meaningful. It might begin with a senior simply acknowledging that they feel sad or anxious – even if they don’t call it depression or anxiety. That admission alone is progress. From there, gently suggesting coping methods like joining a hobby group, doing some light exercise, or practicing relaxation techniques can introduce the idea that these feelings matter and can be managed. Perhaps they won’t see a therapist, but they might agree to attend a seniors’ club activity or a religious class that gives them comfort and social interaction. All of these can improve mental well-being.
Education is key. More targeted information needs to reach seniors in a way that resonates with them. For instance, using stories is often effective. Telling the story of “Uncle Tan who lost his wife and felt very down, but felt better after talking to a counselor at the community center” can illustrate the benefit without sounding preachy. Community nurses and social workers often share such anecdotes during home visits or events, and it helps seniors realize that seeking help doesn’t mean you’re crazy – it means you’re human. Over time, hearing these messages repeatedly (through radio shows in Mandarin/Malay, TV dramas, leaflets in community clubs, etc.) chips away at the old stigma. It normalizes mental health as part of overall health.
We should also highlight that mental health care today is compassionate and respectful, not like the scary images of asylums from the old days. If medication is needed, doctors now start low and go slow, and always explain side effects. Therapy is often just friendly conversation and problem-solving, not lying on a couch being psychoanalyzed as some might fear. When seniors do take the step to seek help, they are often pleasantly surprised that it’s not as intimidating as they thought. I’ve heard of an elderly lady who finally visited a psychiatrist after much persuasion, she was nervous, but afterwards she said, “The doctor was very kind, and talking to her felt good.” That one positive experience can overturn a lifetime of doubt.
In Singapore, we are fortunate to have growing resources for elder mental health. Clinics that specialize in geriatric care (like Alami Clinic and others) understand these generational nuances. They know how to talk to seniors with respect, sometimes even in the senior’s preferred language or dialect. They often involve family in the process, which helps the elder feel it’s a team support, not a personal failure. Healthcare professionals are learning to be sensitive to the fears and pride of the elderly. For example, a doctor might frame a mental health check as “memory and mood screening to keep your brain healthy,” which sounds acceptable, rather than bluntly saying “checking for mental illness.” Little things like this in approach can make a big difference in whether an older patient is receptive or not.
Ultimately, bridging this belief gap comes down to empathy and education. We must continue to reassure our seniors that needing help for mood or mind is no different from getting help for blood pressure or vision – it’s all part and parcel of ageing well. They deserve to enjoy their later years without unnecessary emotional pain. By patiently breaking down misconceptions, addressing their fears (be it fear of shame, of treatment, of being a burden), and showing success stories of peers who got better, we can gently shift their views.
No, it’s not going to be an overnight change. But every conversation counts. Every time a senior opens up a little about feeling lonely or scared, it’s a victory. Every time a family validates those feelings instead of brushing them off, the stigma loses some power. And if even one more elderly person agrees to see a counselor or join a support group because they now believe it might help, that’s something to celebrate.
In the end, mental illness is real, but so is hope. Our seniors are tough – they’ve proven that over a lifetime. With our support, they can be just as resilient in mental health as they have been in every other challenge. The journey to understanding may be slow and uneven, perhaps even contradictory at times, but it’s happening. By continuing this journey together – young and old – we ensure that no senior is left behind or dismissed when it comes to mental wellness. After all, everyone, no matter their age, deserves to be heard, understood, and cared for in mind as much as in body.