In Singapore, addressing mental health concerns spans across different age groups and segments of society, from youths to seniors, caregivers, women, and persons with disabilities. Here’s an overview of the assistance available and the government’s support initiatives:
Youth:
The largest demographic facing mental health challenges, individuals aged 18 to 29 receive support through initiatives like Chat (formerly known as the Community Health Assessment Team).
Over 7,000 young people have been identified as at risk of developing mental health conditions, with community mental health teams assisting over 90,000 youths and parents as of September 2023.
Plans are underway to establish an intermediate residential facility catering to youths aged 10 to 19 who are at risk of suicide or severe self-harm.
Seniors:
Sixty-five out of 73 Community Outreach Teams (Crest) provide support for seniors vulnerable to mental health conditions.
Silver Generation Ambassadors play a vital role in sharing resources and information, particularly for seniors hesitant to seek help due to stigma.
Caregivers:
Crest teams offer assistance to caregivers, focusing on self-care, stress management, and future planning.
Six Caregiver Crest teams have supported over 2,300 caregivers as of September 2023, with subsidies available for caregiving training.
Women:
National University Hospital (NUH) and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) offer specialized mental health screening for pregnant and postnatal women.
NUH plans to extend mental health screening services to fathers and husbands, while KKH provides support services for women coping with trauma from physical or sexual harm.
Persons with disabilities:
The Ministry of Health (MOH) collaborates with the College of Family Physicians Singapore to enhance general practitioners’ capabilities in caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
A specialist outreach team from the Institute of Mental Health offers home-based care for those with intellectual disabilities and complex health needs.
Affordable Mental Health Support:
Subsidies of up to 75% are available for outpatient treatment at polyclinics and public specialist clinics.
Eligible cardholders under various schemes can receive subsidies of up to $540 per year for chronic disease management.
Patients can utilize MediSave for outpatient expenses, with additional support for individuals aged 60 and above through Flexi-MediSave.
Inpatient treatment costs are covered through MediShield Life and MediSave, with provisions for lower-income Singaporeans through MediFund.
Singapore’s comprehensive mental health support system aims to ensure accessibility and affordability for all segments of society, promoting overall well-being and resilience.
