PROGRESS OF NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Health what has been the progress of the 3-year National Mental Health Programme launched in February 1993 which identified seven strategies to promote good mental health and prevent mental disabilities among Singaporeans.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The Mental Health Education Programme has made good progress in the seven areas identified at the launch in February 1993. The achievements since then are:

i) Convenient community mental health clinics Apart from the main outpatient clinics at Woodbridge Hospital, the Ministry of Health has established 5 adult psychiatric outpatient clinics and 4 child guidance clinics in HDB estates to provide mental health services closer to where Singaporeans live.

ii) Modern hospital inpatient service The new Woodbridge Hospital, opened in October 1993, provides up-to-date facilities for patient treatment and rehabilitation. It also has clinical sub-specialities in Geriatric Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

iii) Rehabilitative and Home follow-up programme Woodbridge Hospital has stepped up its patient rehabilitation programme. More patients are being discharged to the 4 Day Centres for follow-up rehabilitation and to prepare for their gradual assimilation into the community. To complement this effort, the hospital has also expanded its community psychiatric nursing service, which provides trained nurses for home visits to review the progress of patients and to give advice and support to those caring for them. Support groups for the family members on patient care activities have also been formed.

iv) Expanded training programme for psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and Continuing Education for doctors and nurses

More psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are being trained. The number of psychiatrists has increased from 65 in 1992 to 88 in 1997, and clinical psychologists from 8 in 1992 to 13 today. Woodbridge Hospital has also intensified its ongoing medical education programme for doctors, nurses and other support workers.

v) Public Mental Health Education Programme Ministry of Health has launched an annual Mental Health Education Programme to:

encourage adoption of lifestyles that will promote good mental health;

encourage the public to seek treatment early; and

educate the public about the common mental illnesses and the services available for treatment.

In addition to on-going programmes throughout the year, the Ministry organises an annual Mental Health Week to promote good mental health through activities such as public forums, exhibitions and seminars for special groups, including principals, teachers and personnel managers, symposia for doctors and nurses, feature articles for radio, TV and newspapers. Pamphlets are produced and distributed to reinforce the mental health messages.

vi) Epidemiological and Clinical Research A Clinical Research Division is being set up at Woodbridge Hospital. $2.8 million has been allocated for clinical research in mental health over the next 3 years.

vii) Closer Working Relationship with Voluntary Welfare Organisations

Woodbridge Hospital continues to work closely with Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) such as the Singapore Association of Mental Health, the Anglican Welfare Council and the New Horizon Centre. Psychiatrists from the hospital train and act as part-time consultants to these VWOs. Some even sit on the boards of the VWOs which provide residential care, outpatient counselling and day centre rehabilitation to complement the public mental health services.

There is now a greater awareness of mental health amongst Singaporeans. One indicator is the increasing number of parents who bring their children for psychiatric consultation as new consultations have increased significantly from 1,500 in 1993 to 2,358 in 1996.

I would like to assure Members that my Ministry will continue to promote lifestyles for good mental health and provide quality mental health care for our people under the National Mental Health Programme.