World Mental Health Day Singapore
Oct 10 is World Mental Health Day; dedicated to advocating for individuals who struggle with mental health challenges and disorders. Below is a brief history of how support for individuals afflicted by mental health challenges have changed in Singapore.
1841: Started as a 30-bed Insane Hospital at Bras Basah/Bencoolen
1928: Established as the Mental Hospital (also known as the Yio Chu Kang Mental Hospital), replacing the older lunatic asylum as the first dedicated mental hospital in Singapore.
1951: Renamed Woodbridge Hospital.
1993: Relocated to its current complex at Buangkok View in Hougang and officially reorganized and renamed as the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).
2027: To be renamed as National Centre for Mental Health Singapore.
These name changes indicate the ever evolving understanding of mental health and the individuals affected by them. The recent renaming marks another important shift in Singapore’s policy and approaches to the increasing demand for psychiatric care; an attempt to also destigmatise not only the institution but mental health care in general.
SPACE Art Therapy Studio welcomes this increased investment and attention to the local mental health field and psychiatric care. Mental health was never just an individual issue. It is societal and governmental. Singapore and her people have a long way to go – we are just only beginning to emphatically understand the mental health challenges. It is hopeful to see more young adults and the younger generation being more vocal and open to discuss matters concerning their mental health.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung shared that the long-term answer to the mounting mental health challenge is prevention and early intervention. Perhaps, we can also look at the systems that have failed to support positive mental health and prevented individuals from seeking help.
https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=695477ba-946a-4b0a-ad75-7b389d891c3e
