Speaking at the Committee of Supply Debate in Parliament, three Senior Ministers of State for Health spoke about providing greater support for both persons with mental health conditions and their caregivers.

More financial support will be given to persons with mental health conditions and mental health help will be made more accessible in the community.

Withdrawal of MediSave increased to S$700

Senior Minister of State for Health Edwin Tong stated that from 2021, patients with complex chronic conditions can withdraw up to S$700 per year from their MediSave under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), up from the current S$500.

Currently, CDMP covers 20 conditions, including four mental health conditions: schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, as well as ischaemic heart disease and pre-diabetes. Tong said that the list might be reviewed to include eczema.

Patients with complex chronic conditions include those who have visits for two or more CDMP conditions, or one CDMP condition with complications, within a year.

Subsidies for treatment with CHAS card

Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor had also mentioned that outpatient treatment of mental health conditions under CDMP, which includes depression, anxiety including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, can tap on subsidies of up to S$500 per year for treatments for CHAS cardholders at CHAS GP clinics.

More subsidies are also available for Pioneer and Merdeka Generation cardholders.

By raising the MediSave withdrawal limit, the health ministry hopes to further defray the costs for patients with complex chronic conditions.

Singaporeans who still require financial support can also apply for MediFund from public healthcare institutions.

Well-being of caregivers

Khor also said that the well-being of the caregivers of persons with mental health conditions should not be neglected, as they might be at risk of burnout.

The health ministry will also be piloting a structured system to provide better support for caregivers.

Under this system, when their loved ones are diagnosed with mental health conditions, hospitals and community partners will provide caregivers with information such as disease progression and expected care needs, and link them up with necessary health, financial and social support services.

Youth mental health service more accessible

More attention has been given to youths at risk of mental health conditions as well.

Mental health remains a top concern among youths according to Senior Minister of State Lam Pin Min.

Yesterday (Mar. 4), the Ministry of Education announced including Mental Health Education into the new primary and secondary school curriculum.

Complementing MOE’s efforts, Lam said that the health ministry has been working with the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), and non-profit social service organisation, Care Corner, to develop an Integrated Youth Service (IYS).

Under the IYS programme, youths at-risk can access coordinated mental health and social support services in the community.

The IYS will be piloting in Woodlands in 2020 with Care Corner, reaching out to youths and raising awareness on mental well-being and resilience.

Care Corner will be equipped to provide individualised emotional support, needs identification and peer support services, and refer those who require further intervention to appropriate health and social services.

Top photo by Arif Riyanto via Unsplash