CMH Wayfinding Tool
Key highlights
If you are feeling sad, stressed or need someone to talk to, you can locate your nearby Community Mental Health teams with the CMH Wayfinding Tool within 3 clicks: Needs, Age and Postal Code of your preferred locality.
Do you know there are mental health services provided by care professionals in your community to support your needs? These services support individuals and caregivers of all ages starting from 12 years old.
With the CMH Wayfinding Tool, you can get started on your mental health journey. Start your search now! Click here.
Community Mental Health teams
Key highlights
There are over 100 Community Mental Health teams with at least 1 in your neighbourhood, who serves as the first stop for mental health. Their services are fully-funded by the government and there is no out-of-pocket cost. Your visits will also be kept strictly confidential.
If you feel it, it’s real. No problem is too small and your feelings shouldn’t be dismissed when it comes to your mental well-being. Even if you’re unsure about the kind of support you need, you can approach the Community Mental Health teams. Search for your nearby teams using the CMH Wayfinding Tool.
What is the experience I can anticipate?
The trained care professionals from the Community Mental Health teams will get to know you and identify your mental health needs. After which, they will develop a personalised plan and provide support such as counselling and therapy. You can hear more about the actual experience shared by people who have gone through the journey here.
Community Mental Health Masterplan
The teams are part of the Community Mental Health Masterplan, which is developed by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) together with the Ministry of Health (MOH). You may find out more about the Masterplan here.
Besides the Community Mental Health teams, there are also General Practitioners (GPs), polyclinics, and hospitals that provide mental health support. Other long-term care services include the psychiatric day care and rehabilitation services.
You may find out more of the services here.
e-Learning Modules
Key highlights
Learning more about mental health enables you to understand the conditions and identify signs and symptoms early to facilitate help-seeking.
Mental Health Awareness 1: Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues
Through this online course, you will learn the following and receive a e-certificate upon completion of the feedback form and module.
- Factors leading to mental health issues
- Impact of mental health issues
- Signs and symptoms of mental health issues
- Available treatment
- Useful resources
Through this online course, you will learn the following and receive a e-certificate upon completion of the feedback form and module.
- Communication tips when interacting with persons with mental health issues
- Importance of self-care whilst supporting others
- Available support for persons with mental health issues
- Referral process
- Useful resources
For best learning experience, please ensure you access the modules on laptops/PCs/iPads, with a strong Internet connection.
Financial support and subsidies
Key highlights
Community Mental Health teams are fully funded by the government and there is no out-of-pocket cost. If you are seeing a GP/polyclinic, you can tap on CHAS and Medisave for your outpatient treatment.
You may be worried about the cost of mental health treatment, but services provided by the Community Mental Health teams are fully funded by the government and there is no out-of-pocket cost.
Consultation costs for medical services such as seeing a GP or Polyclinic doctor may vary between clinics, so you should approach the respective GP or Polyclinic for more information on their fees. There are also financial subsidies available that can help ease the burden.
Medisave
Mental health conditions like schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety are covered by Medisave under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)-Mental Illness. This means you can use your Medisave to pay up to $500 of your outpatient treatment cost per year. You’ll just have to co-pay 15% of your bill.
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
The Community Health Assist Scheme enables all Singapore Citizens to receive subsidies for medical care at participating General Practitioner (GP) clinics.
Types of mental health professionals and treatment
Key highlights
Learn about the various types of care professionals such as social workers and counsellors, and treatment such as therapy and medication to support your care journey.
Mental health professionals
They include social workers and counsellors in the Community Mental Health teams who provide assessment, psychotherapy, counselling, case management and help you develop coping skills. Other professionals include GPs, nurses, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. Find out more.
Mental health treatment
There are treatments such as psychotherapy and psychiatric medications. It’s important to note that some psychiatric medications can take a few weeks to be fully effective. That means you shouldn’t stop taking your medication prematurely without your doctor’s ‘okay’, even if you think you’re feeling better after a few days. Find out more.
Learn more via Mental Health Caregiver Helpsheet here.
Self-care
Key highlights
You are as important as your loved one. Take time to care for yourself in the midst of your caregiving duties. Doing so prevents caregiver burnout and improves your well-being.
When you are consumed in your caregiving role, you find it difficult to spare time or effort for other matters. There might be lack of understanding from your friends and family on what you are going through. Over time, you may withdraw from socialising with others, resulting in an isolating and lonely experience.
The Community Mental Health teams can support your needs, link up with support groups and counselling services, where needed. Search for your nearby teams using the CMH Wayfinding Tool.
e-Resources
- CMH Wayfinding Tool: Search for your nearby Community Mental Health Services within 3 clicks
- e-Learning: Mental Health Awareness 1: Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues
- e-Learning: Mental Health Awareness 2: Supporting Persons with Mental Health Issues
Booklets
Community Mental Health Masterplan Journey 2012-2023
Learn how AIC is Championing Mental Health in Singapore
Journeying with You to Better Mental Health and Well-Being
Supported by the Primary Care Network-Mental Health
Stories
- Lived Experiences from Individuals who had been supported by the Community Mental Health teams
- REAL Stories of Youths: Acknowledging their mental health needs
Other mental health sites
- realspace.sg: Enabling youths and young adults to seek help without fear, prejudice and judgement.
- mindline.sg: Access self-help resources including advice via let’s talk community
- MindSG: Understanding Mental Health & Building Resilience
