Number of Students Admitted to IMH or Other Public Hospitals
Parliamentary Question, 3 March 2020
Ms Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Health in each of last three years, how many students were admitted to the Institute of Mental Health or other public hospitals for (i) mental health conditions and (ii) attempted suicides.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Over the past three years, the number of children aged 7 to 18 years old[1] admitted into public hospitals[2] for mental health conditions[3] was approximately 569 in 2016, 640 in 2017 and 607 in 2018.[4] Hospitals currently do not track whether an admission is due to attempted suicide. Based on records from the Ministry of Home Affairs, from 2017 to 2019, an average of 1,204 cases of attempted suicide was reported each year.[5]
A whole of society approach would be key in supporting youths with mental healthcare needs as the Ministry of Health continues to work with health and social agencies to ensure that we provide timely and holistic care.
Note(s) to Question No(s)3:
[1]Used as proxy for students.
[2]Including Institute of Mental Health (IMH).
[3]Based on all mental health ICD 10 code, except substance abuse and mental retardation.
[4]Source: Ministry of Health.
[5]Source: Ministry of Home Affairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Anthea Ong is a Nominated Member of Parliament. (A Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) is a Member of the Parliament of Singapore who is appointed by the President. They are not affiliated to any political party and do not represent any constituency. There are currently nine NMPs in Parliament.)
The multi-sector perspective that comes from her ground immersion of 12 years in different capacities helps her translate single-sector issues and ideas across boundaries without alienating any particular community/group. As an entrepreneur and with many years in business leadership, it is innate in her to discuss social issues with the intent of finding solutions, or at least of exploring possibilities. She champions mental health, diversity and inclusion — and climate change in Parliament.
She is also an impact entrepreneur/investor and a passionate mental health advocate, especially in workplace wellbeing. She started WorkWell Leaders Workgroup in May 2018 to bring together top leaders (CXOs, Heads of HR/CSR/D&I) of top employers in Singapore (both public and private) to share, discuss and co-create inclusive practices to promote workplace wellbeing. Anthea is also the founder of Hush TeaBar, Singapore’s 1st silent teabar and a social movement that aims to bring silence, self care and social inclusion into every workplace, every community — with a cup of tea. The Hush Experience is completely led by lovingly-trained Deaf facilitators, supported by a team of Persons with Mental Health Issues (PMHIs).
Follow Anthea Ong on her public page at www.facebook.com/antheaonglaytheng