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The Singapore government's recent declaration to advance mental health initiatives was a watershed moment - marking a significant shift in recognizing the full spectrum of well-being by a developed and ambitious nation. This approach acknowledges that beyond addressing severe mental health conditions, it is equally important to address everyday challenges impacting individuals' well-being and, thus, their ability to thrive in various pursuits of life. Issues like anxiety, stress, and feelings of meaninglessness, while not necessarily requiring clinical intervention, can significantly impact an individual's capacity to function effectively personally and professionally.
This resonates deeply with the tenets of a stream of Psychology I have abiding interest in - Positive Psychology. As Martin Seligman said, “Psychology is not just the study of weakness and damage, it is also the study of strength and virtue. Treatment is not just fixing what is broken, it is nurturing what is best within ourselves.”
I think that it would be most impactful to view the broad-based issue of improving national mental health from two lenses. One is the ‘problem-solving’ lens for those who need clinical interventions, and the other is the ‘nurturing’ lens focusing on building resilience, cultivating positive emotions, and fostering a sense of meaning to enable the larger population to flourish.
How can positive psychology be leveraged to elevate well-being?
According to Dr. Seligman, well-being has 5 facets, coded as the PERMA Model:
Positive Emotion: Cultivating gratitude and fostering positive experiences can lead to increased motivation, reduced stress, and better focus, enhancing performance.
Engagement: Seligman talks about the concept of engagement- how it provides a sense of flow and aligns with one’s strengths and interests leading to a sense of purpose and well-being.
Relationships: Strong interpersonal connections foster collaboration, and a sense of belonging, creating a more supportive and productive environment.
Meaning: Connecting our life and work to a larger purpose, whether contributing to an organization's mission or serving the community, promotes intrinsic motivation and dedication, leading to increased satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
Accomplishments: Setting and achieving clear goals, both individual and community-based, fosters a sense of accomplishment and boosts confidence, creating a virtuous cycle.
How can we, as a nation, leverage positive psychology?
The answer lies in a paradigm shift that DPM Wong is pointing to. Traditionally, mental health has often been viewed solely through the lens of illness. However, by embracing positive psychology alongside a comprehensive approach to mental health, we can cultivate a Singaporean society where individuals experience greater well-being, eventually uplifting collective well-being due to the network effect.
Public and private partnerships would play a crucial role. Ground-up initiatives could be game-changing with their ability to:
cultivate connection through relationships across a broader swath of Singaporeans
create a shared sense of meaningful purpose that drives deep engagement and positive emotion
and finally, drive the achievement of those very purpose-led goals.
Some questions that would be worth evaluating as plans are made:
How would fields of education and business, where the vast majority of Singaporeans spend their time and energy, be part of the solution?
What roles would citizen-driven initiatives play versus Government-led plans? How and where would the two meet?
Conclusion
The Singaporean government's forward-thinking approach to mental health acknowledges a fundamental reality: even outside of severe clinical diagnoses, most individuals will need to navigate everyday challenges like stress, anxiety, or feelings of disconnection. These challenges, sometimes exacerbated by external factors like economic uncertainty, or events like COVID-19, can significantly impact quality of life.
This is where positive psychology offers invaluable insight. By focusing on building resilience, fostering positive emotions, and cultivating a sense of purpose, we can empower Singaporeans to experience greater joy, calmness, and fulfilment in their daily lives. The icing on the cake is, that these principles translate directly to the workplace, enhancing performance, collaboration, and overall well-being - so these interventions will have a positive effect on the nation’s economic performance.
A nation that invests in its people's well-being is a nation that invests in the future. Going by Singapore’s track record of setting audacious goals and often achieving them, I expect to see much action on this front in the coming years. I look forward to being part of, and contributing to, a truly flourishing society where individuals experience greater meaning, satisfaction, and success – both personally and professionally.
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