Think of a moment when your earrings or hairstyle didn’t match your event outfit; it annoyed you, right? It instantly affects your mood and increases your stress hormone; eventually, you stop enjoying the event. Now imagine when these trivial incidents like that start piling up and your mind keeps getting bothered; slowly but surely, it begins to affect your days. You may notice a decrease in focus and even in your ability to handle simple tasks. 

We at Cryoviva have come up with this blog to shed light on the importance of mental well-being and breaking the stigma around it.

That’s exactly why individuals in Singapore are becoming more aware that mental well-being is just as important, if not more so, than physical fitness. Yet, despite growing awareness, there are many stigmas around mental well-being that still persist. Many are reluctant to talk about it and consult professional help. Break the mental health stigma that taking care of your mind is a sign of weakness; rather, it’s a strength. Continue reading for simple tips to improve mental well-being and break the stigma. 

What are the Stigmas Around Mental Health?

Here are the common stigmas around mental health that people in Singapore need to know to take steps in the right direction.

• Stigma: Mental Illness Indicates Personal Weakness

The Fact: Like other physical conditions, mental illness is also a medical condition. Hence, it requires the right treatment and professional and family support, not judgment or blame.

• Stigma: Mental Condition Can Bring Disgrace to the Family

The Fact: Mental health challenges are common in Singapore and do not bring shame. OpenAI reveals that over a million users discuss serious mental health issues with ChatGPT weekly. Hence, families should play a key role in support and recovery without judgment or stigma.

• Stigma: Individuals Battling with Mental Sickness are Violent/Dangerous

The Fact: Most individuals with mental conditions are not violent; rather, they prefer isolation. Do not stereotype them as dangerous to avoid unnecessary discrimination.

• Stigma: Men Must Not Express Emotional/Mental Weakness

The Fact: Men are also the victims of sadness and emotional weakness. They should also be encouraged to express emotions and seek help, which improves mental wellness. Even celebrities like Adrian Pang and Benjamin Kheng have spoken out, encouraging change. Hence, break these harmful gender norms on mental health.

• Stigma: Mental Conditions are Rare & Only Affect a Particular Community

The Fact: Mental illness is common globally, and Singapore is no different. The nationwide Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) carried out in 2016 found that about 1 in 7 people in Singapore experience mental health issues, affecting all backgrounds and ages. Also, severe symptoms of depression were at 14.9 % among youths in Singapore as per Asian Journal of Psychiatry study, 2025 

Age Group (years)	Mental Illness Rates in Singapore
10 to 14	~12.8
15 to 22	7.0
18 to 29	25.3
30 to 39	19.4
60 to 74	10.5

• Stigma: Seeking Therapy for Mental Illness is Socially Not Appropriate

The Fact: Mental health therapy and professional help are effective. They play a crucial role in managing mental health, and seeking help is a real sign of strength.

• Stigma: Family Should Handle Mental Illness Privately/Within the Family

The Fact: Yes, families are important; however, professional treatment and open support networks lead to better and faster recovery results. This develops a sense of belonging.

• Stigma: Mental Conditions Cannot be Treated Effectively

The Fact: Many mental health conditions respond well to treatment under professional care. The timely counseling and community support provide fulfilling lives.

Also Read: Good mental health can help boost fertility

What are the 4 Causes of Stigma?

It’s not like people are always judgmental towards mental health issues. There are many reasons that force society to have a negative outlook towards mental illness. Our responsibility is to bring the right knowledge so that everyone can live with dignity.

Here are the main 4 reasons for the stigma around mental health:

1. Lack of understanding or fear.
2. Inaccurate or misleading media representations of mental illness.
3. Cultural and traditional beliefs and fake masculinity contribute to stigma.
4. Inadequate mental health policies, government support and resources.

Self-Care Tips to Prioritize Your Mental Well-Being

Here are some tips that you can consider to take care of your mental health.

• Stress Management Tips

Identify the factors that trigger the stress. And practice relaxation techniques such as:

• Deep breathing
• Meditation 
• Reduce screen time
• Aromatherapy
• Connecting with loved ones

All these can help reduce physical and mental tension effectively.

• Coping with Anxiety

With the hectic lifestyle, anxiety is becoming a part of life. Learn to cope with it:

• Engage in fun activities you like 
• Use mindfulness to stay present
• Seek professional help when anxiety feels overwhelming to restore peace of mind.

• Join Mental Health Support in Singapore

Join local mental health resources/support such as:

• Counseling services
• Hotlines
• Community support groups

This will help you find timely help and reduce isolation.

• Time Management & Learning to Say “No”

Learn time-management skills by doing smart work:

• Prioritize urgent tasks
• Break big projects into smaller steps
• Learn to say no. This helps avoid over commitment and prevent burnout.

• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle not only maintains good physical health but also boosts a good mental state:

Here are some healthy lifestyle tips:

• Regular exercise
• Balanced diet
• Enough sleep
• Limiting caffeine or alcohol intake 

Also Read: Mood Swings in Pregnancy? 5 Smart Ways to Stay Calm

Conclusion

A good mental state means you have the freedom to live every moment in bliss and navigate life’s challenges with grace. 

Prioritize your mental well-being by:

• Breaking stigma
• Seek mental health support when needed. 
• Learning stress management tips

Remember, your mind matters as much as your body.

Also Read: Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Start your wellness journey today—schedule an appointment with Cryoviva.

FAQs

• How can we Reduce Stigma Around Mental Health?

Reduce stigma around mental health by:

• Raising mental health awareness through education.
• Encouraging social connection with those who have lived experience.
• Enforcing anti-discrimination laws to foster acceptance.
• Removing cultural and traditional disbeliefs.

• What are the 5 points of mental wellbeing?

Here are the 5 points of mental well-being:

1. Connect
2. be active
3. take notice
4. keep learning
5. Give to others

• What is the 10 importance of mental health?

Here are the 10 important roles of mental health:

1. Emotional well-being
2. Physical health
3. Productivity
4. Relationships
5. Decision-making
6. Resilience to stress
7. Increased quality of life
8. Social connections
9. Ability to contribute to society
10. Recovery from illness