SINGAPORE: Nearly half of middle-aged women in Singapore report experiencing mental health challenges, yet only 59 per cent have sought professional support.
In a Facebook post on 30 September, the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) said many women cited “feeling like a burden” as a key reason for not seeking help.
These preliminary findings come from a September survey conducted by SCWO in collaboration with James Cook University Singapore, which aims to study perceptions of mental health among women aged 40 to 59.
The survey is ongoing and plans to reach 1,000 women, according to The Straits Times.
Early results from 300 respondents were presented on 29 September at the Summit for Action on Gender Equality held at One Farrer Hotel.
Challenges Faced by Middle-Aged Women
At the summit, panellists shared their views on how middle-aged women juggle various issues, such as menopause and caregiving, which may take a toll on their mental health.
Associate Professor Razwana Begum, head of the public safety and security programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, highlighted that many women find it difficult to speak openly about their struggles due to fears of affecting their jobs or family life.
She emphasised the need for a “less competitive environment” in workplaces and communities, where open conversations about mental health are encouraged.
“Policies and regulations are just words, but what matters are people’s actions, behaviour, and how comfortable people feel talking about certain things,” she said.
Razwana added that while Singapore fares well on measures of gender inequality, other metrics reflecting women’s lived experiences may also be helpful.
Singapore ranked eighth worldwide out of 166 countries and first in the Asia-Pacific for having a low level of gender inequality in the 2024 United Nations Gender Inequality Index.
“Singapore is doing fabulous work, but if you were to ask a woman here if she feels tired or if she feels like she needs to fight her way to get somewhere, I think she would say yes,” Razwana said.
Reframing Masculinity and Gender Roles
In a separate discussion on reframing masculinity, Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said describing national service as a “test of manhood” is unhelpful, particularly as women are increasingly active in the armed forces.
Drawing on his two decades of military experience, Goh cited examples of female leaders in traditionally male-dominated roles, including a fighter pilot squadron commander, a tank battalion commander, and naval divers.
“We have, increasingly, examples that show women can do just as well as, if not better than, men in what are seen as traditionally male-dominated roles. They are really leading the pack and breaking down walls and mental models,” he said, as reported by ST.
Goh also highlighted efforts to change perceptions among soldiers, particularly teenage boys undergoing national service, to help them become more aware of the impact of their words and actions on others.
He noted that United Women Singapore, a non-profit advocating women’s empowerment, has been conducting gender equality workshops for trainers at the Basic Military Training Centre.
“These trainers will then be able to carry this positive messaging to the rest of the recruits,” he said.
Continuing Progress in Women’s Development
Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, who also spoke at the summit, said Singapore has made significant strides in women’s development over the past 60 years.
Government initiatives include a 10-year roadmap on women’s development, expanded government-paid paternity leave to encourage shared caregiving, and workplace anti-discrimination policies.
“But Singapore must persist in its efforts to change mindsets, and more can be done to continue the progress amid new challenges,” he added.
Masagos emphasised that employers should “go beyond policies” to foster supportive workplace cultures, while men can “step up” to normalise sharing the caregiving load at home.
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