The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) will become the National Centre for Mental Health Singapore in 2027, with an expanded and redeveloped hospital planned for completion by 2040.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced the plans in his World Mental Health Day message on 10 October 2026. Planning for the redevelopment has already started.
New Name Comes With A Wider Role
IMH will become a national specialty centre, taking on responsibilities comparable to Singapore’s national centres for cancer, heart and eye care.
Its work will include directing mental health research, helping hospitals organise psychiatric care together and strengthening expertise throughout the sector.
The redevelopment will take place at IMH’s existing location in Buangkok.
Ong said other hospitals would also need to play a larger part in meeting Singapore’s psychiatric care needs. Changi General Hospital, Woodlands Hospital and Alexandra Hospital are strengthening their capabilities to support this effort.
Earlier Support Remains A Priority
Ong said hospitals and specialist clinics were treating more people with mental health concerns, including students. National mindline 1771 is receiving approximately 9,000 calls for help each month.
However, he stressed that expanding healthcare facilities must be accompanied by prevention and support at an earlier stage.
He also addressed fears that discourage people from seeking help. These include concerns about how others might react and whether a mental health record could affect their education, employment or insurance.
Ong said seeking support should not itself disadvantage someone. Government agencies would need to address these concerns, with any necessary disclosure kept relevant and treated fairly.
Parental Consent Guidelines Are Being Reviewed
The announcement also covered young people who need support but are not ready to involve their parents.
Ong explained that requirements currently differ between services. Community providers generally offer counselling and support without insisting on parental consent, while schools are more likely to require it for formal counselling. Callers to national mindline 1771 can remain anonymous.
Some young people may first need private conversations with a professional to understand their difficulties, he said. The approach should allow them to receive help, with their families brought into the process appropriately.
The Singapore Medical Council is reviewing its ethical guidelines to clarify how doctors should handle parental consent when treatment serves a patient’s best interests.
Separately, the Ministry of Health is preparing consent guidelines for different service providers. Ong said public feedback would be sought in the coming weeks, with the aim of improving access while protecting young people’s privacy and welfare and supporting parents’ involvement in recovery.
