Enhancing Mental Health Support Systems in Schools and Availability of Outpatient Psychiatric Services for Youths

NOTICE PAPER NO. 3131

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 14 OCTOBER 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi

Nominated MP

Question No. 6169 

To ask the Minister for Health given the results of the National Youth Mental Health Study released in September 2024 that one in three young people reported experiencing severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress, whether the Ministry will consider (i) strengthening the Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health teams to support schools better and (ii) ensuring that all restructured hospitals have psychiatric services that are equipped to manage child and adolescent cases on an outpatient basis.

Answer

1 Findings of the National Youth Mental Health Study were self-reported. As such, the severe or extremely severe mental health symptoms reported in the study do not necessarily indicate a mental disorder. Nevertheless, we take steps to ensure timely and appropriate responses to young people with mental health needs.  

2 The Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health teams collaborate with schools to support students with mental health needs. There are ongoing efforts to enhance the capability of school counsellors and upskill community partners such as social service agencies. For those who require more specialised care, public hospitals such as Institute of Mental Health, Changi General Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, and National University Hospital provide child and/or adolescent mental health specialist services. 

3 To facilitate early access to mental health services in the community, community touchpoints including Youth Community Outreach Teams (or CREST-Youth), Youth Integrated Teams (or YITs), polyclinics and participating General Practitioner clinics provide mental health assessment and support. We aim to expand the number of CREST-Youth and YIT teams to 15 teams, and extend mental health services to all polyclinics and Healthier SG GP clinics by 2030.