Interest in peer support among Singaporean adults with symptoms of anxiety and depression

Access to formal mental health care remains limited in Asia. Peer support can be a viable alternative gateway or complement to formal mental health care. The current study examined interest in various types of peer support, including individual versus group and virtual versus in-person, among Singaporean adults with symptoms of anxiety or depression.

A cross-sectional online survey was administered to members of a web panel. Participants with symptoms of depression or anxiety based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 screening tool were surveyed. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine factors associated with greater interest in peer support.

A total of 350 panel members met our inclusion criteria. Of them, 77% had not received formal mental healthcare services, while 62% indicated interest in receiving peer support. The strongest preference was for one-on-one support delivered virtually. Younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, P < 0.01), working in white-collar managerial as opposed to white-collar non-managerial positions (OR 1.96, P < 0.05), utilising formal health care in the last 3 months (OR 2.45, P < 0.05) and previously providing peer support (OR 7.33, P < 0.01) were associated with greater interest in receiving peer support. Most of those not interested in peer support cited concerns around confidentiality.

Despite low uptake of formal mental health care, the majority of adult Singaporeans surveyed with anxiety or depression symptoms indicated interest in receiving peer support. Greater efforts to promote peer support programmes can be part of a comprehensive strategy to address rising rates of poor mental health in Singapore.