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This paper reports and describes the psychological support system developed in Singapore as a mental health response to disasters and other major crisis situations. It presents the organizational structure and operational relationships among the component emergency response agencies making up the National Emergency Behavior Management System in Singapore. The paper also attempts to delineate some of the underlying mental health concepts and techniques in crisis and therapeutic interventions employed for victims, survivors, affected families and the community during disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A psychiatric investigation on 56 cases of male transsexuals in Singapore revealed a prevalence of I in 25,000. Eighty-two per cent were prostitutes and 83 per cent had completed secondary education. All were unmarried, and 35 per cent were co-habiting with men. Fifty-eight per cent had felt they were females before the age of 5, 65 per cent cross-dressed before the age of 10, and by the age of 20, 57 per cent were completely cross-dressed of whom 73 per cent were receiving female sex hormones. Their mean IQ was 105. Thirty-two (58 per cent) underwent sexual reassignment surgery. There was no report of psychiatric complications. It was concluded that transsexualism as described by different authors may not refer to the same condition. Aetiologically, these cases did not appear to be determined by early childhood experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Studies have revealed that rape victims undergo a number of psychological symptoms following the attack, which constitute a specific syndrome termed the rape trauma syndrome (RTS). Evidence of the RTS has been admitted as scientific testimony in the prosecution of sexual offences and has been integral in their successful conviction. The present study aims to assess the viability of a questionnaire designed to identify the RTS in victims of alleged rape., Materials and Method: A 77-item rape trauma syndrome questionnaire (RTSQ) was developed and administered to 30 women who reported rape and 57 nurses who formed the control group. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Windows Version 6.0)., Results: Statistical analysis suggested that the questionnaire was internally consistent and effective in uncovering significant differences between rape victims and controls in their experience of rape trauma symptoms. Rape victims scored significantly higher than controls on the RTS scale. Those who faked rape were also found to endorse a greater number of the rape trauma symptoms than actual rape victims, as well as a greater number of fictitious and unlikely symptoms., Conclusion: This pilot study confirmed the viability of the RTSQ and paves the way for a more rigorous examination of its reliability and validity. In the future, the questionnaire may be of use in ascertaining the veracity of victims' claims of rape in the conviction of sexual offences where circumstances are equivocal.