Forum: TV series' portrayal of schizophrenia can affect understanding of condition
However, we are concerned about the inaccurate and stigmatising portrayal of schizophrenia in the final episode.
The character Zhang Anna, depicted throughout as a manipulative and villainous figure, is abruptly diagnosed with schizophrenia. Yet, she had not exhibited any symptoms consistent with this condition.
Schizophrenia is a complex and serious mental disorder characterised by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking, social withdrawal and cognitive difficulties – not cunning, calculated behaviour.
The suggestion that schizophrenia serves as an explanation for moral failings or harmful acts conflates a serious medical condition with issues of character. Misrepresenting persons with schizophrenia as threats risks discouraging help-seeking and deepening their social isolation.
In our daily work with patients and families, we see how these misconceptions fuel shame, delay treatment and make recovery unnecessarily challenging.
When mental illness is used to justify harmful behaviour, it sets back years of public education and anti-stigma efforts.
We encourage content creators to consult mental health professionals when portraying psychiatric conditions. Thoughtful and realistic depictions can go a long way in improving awareness, reducing stigma and showing that recovery is possible.
Findings from the IMH's Mind Matters: A Study of Mental Health Literacy 2022-2023 show encouraging improvements in public recognition of conditions like depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, awareness and understanding of schizophrenia remain low, and many still report a desire to socially distance themselves from those affected.
Popular media plays a powerful role in shaping public attitudes.
Let us work together to tell stories that are not just compelling, but also responsible and humane.
Charmaine Tang (Dr)
Senior Consultant
Chief, Department of Psychosis & Early Psychosis Intervention Programme
Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
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Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
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Business Times
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SINGAPORE is facing a stark demographic reality. By 2030, one in 25 Singaporeans will be aged 80 and above, while the number of people available to care for them is shrinking fast. This is not about longer wait times at the nearby clinic or the higher cost of healthcare. We are, in fact, heading towards a point where there simply are not enough hands for basic human needs: getting dressed, taking medication or having someone help you up after a fall. The uncomfortable question becomes: When traditional care is no longer feasible, what happens to dignity? What happens to the quality of care we want for our own parents? We must rethink how care is delivered, and technology is an ideal way to bridge the gap between our ageing population's needs and our shrinking workforce's capacity. Freeing caregivers to care On the ground, caregivers are burning out fast. They spend precious time on administrative tasks, wheeling meal trays, hunting for clean linen and tracking medication. 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With the right tools, a smartphone can become the central hub for everything from instant communication with colleagues to real-time care plan updates and emergency alerts. Sensor networks for emergency alert systems let caregivers instantly call for help during medical emergencies. Add artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cameras that spot falls or wandering incidents, and you have caregivers who can respond to real emergencies instead of constantly checking 'just in case'. This digital-first approach also appeals to incoming Gen Z caregivers who expect modern, tech-enabled work environments. Preserving dignity through patient-centric technology But technology for caregivers is only half the equation. The real test of technology in aged care is whether it serves the people receiving care – and their expectations are changing, too. 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That includes everything from smart sensors that prevent falls to user-friendly bedside devices that help them stay connected to family. Ultimately, technology should amplify human dignity, not diminish it. An integrated approach to modern aged care Solving this crisis at scale requires more than individual facility upgrades. It demands coordinated leadership to create an ecosystem of innovation. Singapore's government, for example, is not just debating policy, but putting real money behind such efforts. The Productivity and Digitalisation Uplift Grant has already supported nursing homes by deploying the AMRs mentioned earlier. This commitment is further deepened with the government's S$107 million investment in Active Ageing Centre infrastructure upgrades through 2027. This is certainly not about buying a few robots and calling it done. Modern aged care facilities must be smart ecosystems built around innovative care models from the ground up. 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