The Singapore Mental Health study provided much needed insights into the mental health condition of Singaporeans. In addition to learning that 1 in 7 Singaporeans experienced a mood, anxiety or alcohol abuse problem in their lifetime, the study also found that more than 75% of those suffering from disorders did not seek treatment.
Although the report did not reveal the reasons for this treatment gap, previous studies have found that the leading causes included the stigma associated with mental health, as well as a lack of awareness regarding key symptoms.
Interestingly, there have also been reports stating that the cost of mental health treatment contributes significantly to a reluctance in seeking help. It has also provided a stumbling block for certain individuals in maintaining treatment over the necessary period.
The Different Mental Health Interventions Available
Before we dive into the costs of mental therapy in Singapore, it would be helpful to first understand the types of treatments and interventions available. These various treatments can be sought in parallel with one another, and different approaches can sometimes have a synergistic effect, resulting in enhanced treatment outcomes.
Psychotherapy
Mental health therapists are professionally trained in human behaviour, and offer treatment often in the form of talk therapy. They rely on several evidence-based theories, formulas and methods in order to help you work through your challenges and provide relief from mental health problems. Many of their methods are tailored to treat specific mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, phobias, eating disorders and so on.
Therapists may choose to specialise in various areas, such as clinical psychology, family psychology, neuropsychology and more. They are then able to provide psychotherapy based on modalities like Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Person Centred Therapy. Mental health therapists often also specialise in providing support to certain groups, such as children, teens, families, ex-convicts and others.
Counselling
Counselling is usually provided by trained counsellors, who may also be psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers. Counselling is a more general form of mental help, meant to help individuals, partners, families and other groups go through challenging times.
Counselling helps you mentally understand what you are going through and recognise the best form of actions to take. Those seeking counselling do not need to be experiencing clinical forms of mental illnesses such as major depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Instead, they may be seeking relief from stress, grieving the loss of a loved one, undergoing marital issues, and so on.
How Much Does Mental Health Therapy Cost
In the context of the medical interventions mentioned above, we can define mental health therapy as both psychotherapy and counselling. In Singapore, the cost of psychotherapy ranges from $80 to $250 per session.
But how much is mental health therapy exactly? This depends heavily on the complexity of your case Family therapy or couples therapy, in which more than one person is involved, will also cost more than individual therapy.
Therapy Costs: Tips to Manage Financially
In a recent report, almost 80% of respondents in a survey by SG Mental Health Matters agreed that finances can be a major barrier withholding many from seeking timely treatment.
However, the benefits of mental therapy, such as improved well-being and increased resilience, often justify the investment. For those concerned about the financial commitment, here are a few ways to alleviate the burden.
Consider Mental Health Insurance
An increasing number of insurance providers in Singapore are beginning to offer mental health coverage as part of their general health insurance plans. Mental health coverage includes psychological services, covering both psychotherapy and counselling. There are also plans that include only certain mental health issues such as postpartum depression, anxiety, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder or the like.
It is best to check with your insurance provider and choose a policy that offers a wider coverage. The insured sums for mental health services often fall within a range of 10% to 20% of the sum insured.
Plan Your Therapy Sessions
You may consider speaking to your therapist about arranging an acceptable number of sessions per month in order to ensure that therapy remains sustainable and within your current means. Therapy sessions can be held several times a week, once weekly or even bi-weekly.
Here at Safe Expanse, our individual sessions cost $165 per hour whereas child therapy sessions are priced at just $150 for 45 minutes. Couple and family therapy sessions are also available and priced at $185 and $225 per hour respectively. You can always book a free, complimentary 15 minute discovery call with us to discuss your needs and determine any suitable next steps.
Employee Assistance Programs
Another avenue for making therapy more accessible and affordable is through workplace programs, particularly Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). These programs are employer-sponsored initiatives designed to offer confidential psychological support to employees and their families.
EAPs can cover a range of services from short-term counselling and crisis intervention to referrals for ongoing therapy, all at little or no cost to the employee.
If your workplace does not currently offer an EAP, consider initiating a conversation with your HR department or management team about the benefits of such programs.
Presenting evidence of the positive impact EAPs have on employee well-being and organisational success can be persuasive. It might also help to petition or conduct internal surveys to demonstrate and highlight employee interest and demand for mental health support. If you are looking for a suitable EAP provider for your workplace, Safe Expanse provides bespoked EAP to meet unique organisational needs and promote mental wellness, and increased job satisfaction and productivity for employees. Let us know how we can support your organisation wellness here.
Final Thoughts
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to have an official diagnosis in order to seek help from professionals. Help is available whatever your financial capabilities may be, and whatever circumstances you may be going through. Safe Expanse provides a secure space where you can receive the help you need in a supportive and non-judgemental manner.
Our team of therapists are passionate about mental wellbeing, and are able to rely on their many years of experience in guiding you through any challenge in a holistic and reassuring manner. Book a session with us today, or contact us should you have any questions about our services.