Treatment and Confinement of Mentally-ill Residents who Destroy Neighbours' Properties or Display Signs of Violence

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Health with regard to the mentally ill who harass their neighbours, destroy properties and display signs of violence (a) whether their treatment and confinement at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) can be expedited; and (b) what criteria have to be met for their release from IMH.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: We have been strengthening our community mental health services to better support persons with mental health conditions in the community and enhance their access to care services. For persons who display disturbing behaviours in the community, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) will serve as a first touchpoint to coordinate care and a link to healthcare and social service agencies. AIC can be contacted at [email protected] for assistance and referral.

In cases where a person is behaving in a manner that is dangerous to self or others, members of the public can call ‘999’ for urgent police assistance. Under section 7 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act (MHCTA), persons who are at risk of harm to self and/or others, and are reported to be mentally disordered, can be brought by a police officer to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for mental health treatment. The person will be warded if assessed to require management in an inpatient setting.

Patients will be discharged from the IMH inpatient ward when the doctors assess that their acute psychiatric condition have stabilised and improved. Longer term recuperation at home amongst supportive family will be better for the patients’ full recovery and reintegration with society.

IMH monitors the patients discharged to ensure that they remain compliant with their follow up appointments and medication. IMH also works with families and community-based organisations on care coordination, case management, caregiver support and education, and other forms of social support, for the discharged patients. Overall, in supporting the patients’ recovery and reintegration, families, community and social and healthcare organisations all have a part to play.