Vapes are no longer just nicotine devices. Modern vapes - whether e-cigarettes, vape pens, or K-pods - are increasingly found to be laced with dangerous substances like cannabinoids, ketamine, and etomidate that can cause psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or paranoid thoughts. Take a 15-year-old student who started hearing voices and became aggressive towards teachers after trying an etomidate-laced vape. Or a 27-year-old who became convinced people would hurt him and attempted to jump from his 12th-storey window after being introduced to vaping at a party. Why would these substances trigger psychosis and what exactly is psychosis?
Psychosis describes a group of symptoms where someone's perceptions are affected – meaning their brain struggles to tell what is real from what is not real. These symptoms might cause someone to misinterpret or feel confused about what is happening around them, and they may become angry or upset for no clear reason.
During a psychotic episode the person experiences psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations , delusions and disorganisation. These symptoms cause them to behave very differently from their usual self, for example
- Their 5 senses behave differently: They hear their name being called but no one is there. They may also see, feel, taste or smell things that are not actually there.
- They think differently: Their thoughts become jumbled and they have difficulty concentrating or solving problems. Their brain plays tricks on them - when scrolling through TikTok, they think the videos are specifically about them or that people are sending them hidden messages.
- They feel differently: They become irritable because they cannot focus properly. They may feel scared that people want to hurt them, even close friends or family.
- They act differently: They ghost everyone as they fear people are talking about them or want to harm them. They may shout at others when feeling distressed or confused.
These psychotic symptoms occur in serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of someone developing psychosis, for example:
- Genetics – having a family member having psychosis
- Environmental – traumatic experiences, drug use
When people use vapes containing drugs such as etomidate, , they can develop what's called drug-induced psychosis. These substances disrupt the brain's normal chemical balance, causing users to feel confused about what is real. This can happen both while using the vape and when the effects wear off. The episodes feel completely real to the person experiencing them and can last hours, days, or even longer.
While it can be frightening and disruptive to experience psychosis, support is available and you don’t need to feel alone. If you/someone you know is experiencing mental health concerns or is exhibiting signs of psychosis, reach out to CHAT for a confidential
Mental Health Assessment.
For other information on cessation of vaping, visit:
National Addictions Management Service (NAMS)
(website)
Let's CHAT (Real Stories from Mothers) highlights four Singaporean parents with children aged 9 to 28. They share personal stories about the emotional challenges of parenting and discussing mental health, all while striving to improve themselves daily.
How do parents navigate mental health with their children?
In this video, four Singaporean mothers open up about the emotional ups and downs of parenting — and what it really takes to start meaningful conversations at home.
Dive into 4 heartfelt stories of Singapore mums navigating their children's mental health – from teen years to adulthood. They share it all: the tough conversations, breakthrough moments, and lessons learned along the way.
Raw, honest & inspiring – these stories will touch every parent's heart.
Watch their full stories here.
Click here to download the posters (A4 size).
While the series Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story captivates audiences with its cultural richness, on contrary, it also presents a concerning portrayal of mental health. The series' depiction of schizophrenia being used as a plot twist to explain a character’s manipulative behaviour — without showing symptoms consistent with the condition underscores a broader challenge in our society.
In a letter published by The Straits Times, Dr Charmaine Tang, Deputy Programme Director at CHAT, shared her concerns about how such portrayals blur the line between mental illness and moral failing. Such misrepresentation could risk reinforcing harmful stigma that could create barriers for people seeking treatment.
At CHAT, we meet young people who hesitate to seek help — not because they don’t need it, but because they fear being judged, misunderstood, excluded and discriminated by their peers or community. CHAT continues to commit to destigmatising mental health by providing a safe environment and listening without judgment. We also strive to empower individuals to take charge of their mental well-being through providing appropriate support resources to encourage timely help-seeking behaviours within our community.
Mental health is not a plot device. Thoughtful portrayals matter as they shape public understanding — and influence whether someone feels safe enough to reach out.
Straits Times: Click
hereLianhe Zaobao: Click
hereWe worked with RICE Media to produce insightful content on mental health and help-seeking.
1. What does it truly mean to stay strong in the face of adversity? From practical tips to inspiring stories, discover how different individuals navigate life's challenges and emerge stronger than ever. Read more here.
2. Curious about what it's like to get your mental health checked for the first time? This writer provides a firsthand account and his reflection, read it here.
3. From improved coping skills to enhanced self-awareness, discover how therapy positively impacted this writer's life, and his journey of growth and healing that followed. Read it here.
4. Unsure about therapy? Join the conversation as we present the verdict on therapy from your peers. Gain insights into how young people perceive and engage with mental health support, and learn about the diverse experiences and perspectives shaping the modern approach to therapy. Watch it here.
CHAT Ambassador Wan Sing shares about her mental health struggles and how she journeyed towards better mental health with the help of her parents and CHAT. Read the full article here:
2023 03 Wan Sing_IMH Imagine Feature.pdfIn collaboration with RICE Media, Thriving in Transition is a series dealing with how we make meaning of our individual experiences and emotions through finding solace in the support of others, no matter how daunting it can be to reach out.
Loneliness is a common phenomenon, especially in the midst of transition. How can we navigate and overcome this challenging period and emerge better off? Follow the journeys of four young Singaporeans as they make meaning of their loneliness and solitude. Read more here.
It can be hard to open up about our mental health issues, especially to our parents, who may not always understand. Ilyas Sholihyn pens a touching letter to his parents, telling them about his passive suicidal ideation and suggesting ways in which for them to move forward together. Read it here.
Mental health is a buzzing topic, and social media is full of resources. But how can we use social media in a way that helps and not hinders our journey to mental wellness? Zachary speaks with Dr Jayne, a consultant at CHAT, to find out more. Read it here.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought greater awareness to mental health. Young people, in particular, are more open to talking about their mental health, but if they need to find a listening ear for their stress after office hours or late on Saturday night, where can they find the support? In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo finds out more about a new after-hours support service from CHAT, called Chatline. She hosts three guests in the studio. They are Ms Lee Yi Ping, the Programme Lead for CHAT, Ms Sheryl Yue, a youth volunteer at CHATline and Ms Ashley Poo, a student who’s a CHATlline client.
Listen to the podcast here.
