Childhood trauma costs Singapore's economy S$1.18 billion a year, affecting nearly two-thirds of adults who experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.
KEY POINTS
IN SIMPLE TERMS
When children go through tough times—like family fights, abuse, or divorce—it can hurt their mental health and cost the country a lot of money in healthcare and lost work time. A new study found this problem affects most Singaporeans and costs billions of dollars every year.
WHY IT MATTERS
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Should Singapore invest more public resources in early childhood trauma prevention and intervention programmes to offset the S$1.18 billion annual economic cost?
👍 👎 Vote ↓A recent study shows the heavy impact Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have on individuals and the Singaporean economy.
Research by the Institute of Mental Health and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, released on 16 July 2024, highlights a serious economic and social issue.
Childhood should be worry-free, but for some, it’s marked by trauma.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include emotional abuse, divorce, or living with family problems.
These experiences leave marks that can lead to mental health issues later in life.
They also put a heavy cost on society, with Singapore feeling the financial strain.
Here are some important points to remember:
Dr Liu Jianlin, Research Fellow, Research Division, IMH, first author of the study, shared,
Adjusting for other disorders, ACEs’ costs remain high at S$1.18 billion.
Experiencing three or more ACEs can increase healthcare costs per person.
Key issues driving these costs include emotional hardships and parental conflict.
The results lead to increased healthcare use and loss of work productivity.
This big financial burden can’t be ignored, and action is needed.
Quick facts show the economic burden clearly:
| Cost Per Person | Total Societal Cost |
|---|---|
| S$767 (average annual excess costs per person associated with any ACEs) | S$1.18B per year |
| S$2168 (average annual excess costs per person for those exposed to three or more ACEs) |
Early help can guide outcomes towards a healthier path for young people.
Early spotting and targeted help can lessen the impact of childhood hardship.
Programmes like FRIENDS provide needed support structures.
Parents can learn key skills and build closer family bonds to protect their children.
Helping families and individuals is crucial to breaking the cycle of trauma.
We must deal with childhood trauma within families to stop its widespread effect in our community.
Should Singapore invest more public resources in early childhood trauma prevention and intervention programmes to offset the S$1.18 billion annual economic cost?
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