Shining a Light on Senior Mental Health: MWS Uncommon Dialogue 2024
By 2026, Singapore will become a ‘super-aged’ society, with more than one in five residents aged 65 and above. This demographic shift poses challenges for the healthcare and social sectors as to how we can shape care to enhance the overall well-being of our seniors. While physical health often dominates conversations on ageing, mental well-being is just as critical, influencing overall quality of life and the ability to age with dignity. How can we better support our seniors to live their golden years with purpose, dignity, and strong mental health?
These and other pressing questions were explored by a panel of healthcare experts at the second edition of MWS Uncommon Dialogue, on Tackling the Mental Health Crisis in a Super-Aged Singapore. Held on 4 October 2024, the event brought together over 120 guests, including donors, corporate leaders, and representatives from Methodist churches.
MWS CEO Calvin Ngo kicked off the discussion by highlighting the implications of a super-aged society and its far-reaching impact on all aspects of society.
The panellists – Professor Kua Ee Heok (Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, National University of Singapore), Dr Ng Wai Chong (Founder-CEO, NWC Longevity Practice), and Dr Raymond Leong (MWS Group Director of Healthcare Services) – discussed ageing’s impact on mental well-being and the mind-body connection.
“For every physical illness, there is a mental distress,” said Dr Ng. “Health is not merely the absence of disease; health is the ability to do things that are meaningful, and it’s the same for the body and mind.”
The panellists also discussed the value of preventive measures in addressing mental health issues. Professor Kua, in particular, advocated for the many non-drug approaches available, such as mindfulness practices, music reminiscence and singing, art therapy and gardening. Aside from improved cognition, the deeper relationships and social connectedness forged through participating in these activities have been found to provide additional guardrails against mental health decline.
Meanwhile, Dr Raymond gave an overview of Singapore’s healthcare services landscape and the range of support available across the spectrum of wellness.
Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, also shared a moving message on what it means to leave a legacy, and the actions we can take to achieve it.
In his closing remarks, Eugene Toh, Chairperson of MWS Board of Governance, outlined MWS’ three-pronged approach to supporting seniors: partnering closely with the government, continually refining our programmes and care approach for seniors’ holistic health, and engaging stakeholders to foster understanding and support.
Watch the full recording here and be equipped to better safeguard your mental wellbeing today, for a healthier tomorrow.
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