Acute psychiatry services to be expanded to all healthcare clusters in Singapore
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Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Digital tools boost mental health reach, but experts stress the need for validation
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Experts speaking on a panel at the Singapore Mental Health Conference on July 17. SINGAPORE – Incorporating technology and digitalisation into mental health services can expand access and reach more people in need, but experts say rigorous checks are essential t o ensure that the tools are safe and effective. Speaking on a panel at the Singapore Mental Health Conference on July 17 , Ms Alice Ong, director of preventive health programmes and rewards at Health Promotion Board (HPB), noted that technology has been very helpful in addressing persistent stigma surrounding mental health. Citing the MindSG platform as an example, she said the website drew 3 million views when it was launched in 2021. As of 2024, it had accumulated 12 million page views. Dr Swapna Verma, chairman of the medical board at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), said that besides stigma, there are also manpower constraints in the mental health sector. Digital mental health services, she said, offer confidential and easy access to care. But such services – whether delivered online, via an app, or a physical wearable such as a smartwatch – need to be properly researched and validated. 'It's like medication. I won't prescribe a medication unless I see good evidence from a randomised controlled trial,' said Dr Swapna, adding that technology needs to be relevant and culturally sensitive too, or people might not use it. Another panelist Liz Ashall-Payne, founder of the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA), agreed on the importance of understanding the needs and preferences of different patients to ensure usability. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Singapore Prison Service debunks online claims that it launched 'the world's first floating prison' Singapore Jail for elderly man for using knife to slash neighbour, who later died of heart disease Opinion Grab tried to disrupt taxis. It now wants to save them 'If three people have low-level anxiety, but one's a child, one's a teenager and one's an older person, they would want a different interface,' said Ms Ashall-Payne, whose organisation conducts independent reviews of health apps. There are about 365,000 digital health technologies around the world, she said, and ORCHA has reviewed about 35,000 products. It found that only 20 per cent of these technologies are secure, cyber safe and clinically effective. Some indicators of reliable digital mental health tools include the involvement of recognised professionals or clinicians in the product development, and published research on the technology. IMH has been using internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help patients learn coping skills like breathing techniques and time management. Traditionally, such skills are taught face-to-face by professionals, but with digitalisation, patients can learn the techniques at their convenience, while still receiving personalised check-ins from their psychologists. Studies have shown that internet-delivered CBT can be as effective as the in-person version. Ms Krista Vanderheide, assistant secretary at the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, shared that in December 2023, the country announced a A$456.7 million (S$379.8 million) investment in digital mental health to develop a new national approach to help people navigate digital services. The Australian government will also take the lead in accrediting digital mental health services. Ms Vanderheide added that the information and communication technology (ICT) unit of the government 'is always really deeply trained in how to make sure there's clinical safety and ICT cyber safety'. The eighth edition of the Singapore Mental Health Conference took place on July 16-17, with a heavy focus on digital mental health and artificial intelligence. Jointly organised by IMH, National Council of Social Service, Agency for Integrated Care, and HPB, the event drew more than 1,000 attendees on the first day.
CNA
9 hours ago
- CNA
Man charged over manufacturing 'kpods' at home
SINGAPORE: A 41-year-old man has been charged over manufacturing "kpods" at home. Kpods are vapes laced with drugs, such as ketamine or etomidate. Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was on Thursday (Jul 17) given five more charges, including the possession of e-vaporisers, or vapes, vape pods and other components. He was found on Dec 11, 2024, with hundreds of such items in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat at Block 296B Yishun Street 22. These included 569 empty pod casings, 1,485 pod covers, 100 loose vape pods and disposable vapes. He had earlier been charged under the Poisons Act for selling and possessing etomidate. He allegedly sold 100 vape pods outside the same HDB flat just after midnight on Dec 11, 2024. These pods were later analysed and found to contain etomidate. At about 5.30am that same day, Akil was allegedly found with 26.4 grams of white powder that had etomidate. According to the court system, Akil intends to plead guilty. Earlier this year, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said it is closely monitoring the use of vapes to consume etomidate, a fast-acting anaesthetic used in medical procedures. As of Jun 30, HSA has detected 28 cases involving etomidate this year. Adverse effects of etomidate include nausea and vomiting, uncontrollable movement or spasm of muscles, changes to breathing and blood pressure, and seizures and psychosis that can endanger health. HSA warned that inhaling it directly into the lungs can cause side effects like spasms, breathing issues and seizures.
CNA
9 hours ago
- CNA
ByteDance mass food poisoning: Caterer Yunhaiyao fined S$7,000 for incident involving 171 victims
SINGAPORE: Catering company Yunhaiyao was fined S$7,000 (US$5,400) on Thursday (Jul 17) over a mass food poisoning incident at Bytedance last year. Mr Lu Zhi Tao, CEO of Yunhaiyao, appeared in court to receive the sentence on behalf of the company, which runs the Yun Nans chain of restaurants. Singapore Food Agency (SFA) prosecutor Mohd Rizal informed the court that there were a total of 171 victims who suffered gastroenteritis symptoms. Sixty victims were sent to the hospital, of whom 22 were warded for one to three days. The remaining 38 were not warded but received outpatient treatment or self-medicated. District Judge Janet Wang said this was "staggering" number of victims, and that it was fortuitous that there were no deaths. The ByteDance employees had eaten wok-fried diced chicken catered by Yunhaiyao that contained staphylococcus aureus bacteria exceeding what is allowed. Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, is a bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It produces toxins in food that is not cooked or stored properly, or through people with the bacteria who have poor hygiene and handle food without first washing their hands. More than 200,000 colony-forming units per gram of staphylococcus aureus counts were found in a sample obtained by SFA. Food regulations state that fewer than 100 colony-forming units can be found in food. When SFA later investigated the Yun Nans outlet at Northpoint City, they found more than 10 live cockroaches. Yunhaiyao had earlier pleaded guilty to one charge under the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations for the cockroaches, and another charge under the Sale of Food Act. This was for selling the chicken dish to ByteDance when it was "not of the quality demanded by ByteDance", since it contained staphylococcus aureus, or staph, counts exceeding allowed limits.
