Peer support may help Singapore adults seek mental health care
A Duke-NUS study found many adults with anxiety or depression symptoms had not sought professional care but were open to peer support.
By Priya Raghavan · Science Reporter
3 min read
A Singapore study suggests peer support could help adults with anxiety or depression symptoms take earlier steps toward care. Researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School and collaborators including the Institute of Mental Health reported that many people who had not used professional services still expressed interest in help from peers.
The study, published in the Singapore Medical Journal, drew on an online survey of 350 adults in Singapore. Duke-NUS said the work was part of a broader effort to study the economic impact of anxiety and depression.
According to the study, 77% of surveyed adults with symptoms of anxiety or depression had not sought care from mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. Even so, 62% said they would be willing to receive support from peers with similar backgrounds or lived experience.
One-on-one and virtual support drew interest
The study found that 51% of respondents preferred individual peer support rather than group sessions. It also found that 43% said they would feel more comfortable receiving peer support online, a finding the researchers said could guide the design of more flexible support programs.
Assistant Professor Irene Teo of the Lien Center for Palliative Care at Duke-NUS, the study’s first author, said stigma and fear of judgment can make formal care intimidating. Teo said peer support may feel more relatable and may reduce psychological barriers to seeking help.
The researchers also reported differences in who was most open to peer support. Younger adults showed greater interest, which the researchers linked to wider awareness and acceptance of mental health issues among that group.
Researchers see peer support as a bridge
Adults who had previously sought professional help for anxiety or depression were also more likely to welcome peer support, according to the study. The researchers said that pattern suggests peer support and clinical care may work alongside each other rather than serve as competing options.
The study also found that respondents in white-collar managerial roles, such as managers and directors, were more open to informal care than respondents in nonmanagerial jobs, including clerical and sales roles. The researchers said this may reflect differences in health literacy, workplace stress and access to peer networks at senior levels.
Professor Eric Finkelstein, executive director of the Lien Center for Palliative Care at Duke-NUS and the study’s senior author, said mental health support should be designed with attention to emotional needs, guidance and safeguards. He also said confidentiality concerns and discomfort with mental health professionals remain barriers for some people.
Associate Professor Daniel Fung, a senior consultant in the Institute of Mental Health’s Department of Developmental Psychiatry, said peer support can connect people with others who have faced similar mental health challenges. Fung said those relationships can offer practical coping strategies and may help people feel ready to use formal services when needed.
Professor Sheemei Lok, interim vice dean for research at Duke-NUS, said the findings point to a role for communities alongside mental health professionals. She said understanding where people feel comfortable seeking help can support more inclusive mental health systems.
This story draws on original reporting from Medical Xpress.