A poignant account of a man’s struggle with bipolar disorder and eventual suicide highlighted the gravity of mental health challenges as recounted by Ms. Mariam Jaafar (PAP-Sembawang) in Parliament. The emotional testimony underscored the urgency for addressing mental health issues, as echoed by numerous Members of Parliament (MPs) during a comprehensive debate lasting over six hours on Tuesday (Feb 6).
The debate, initiated by the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Health, centered on a motion emphasizing the significance of mental health as a health, social, and economic issue. The motion called for a united effort to implement a national strategy aimed at enhancing mental health and well-being, building upon the recently launched national mental health and well-being strategy introduced in October last year.
Fifteen MPs, seven Nominated MPs, and a Non-Constituency MP contributed impassioned speeches, touching on various facets of mental health, including the necessity for improved insurance coverage for mental health conditions.
Among the common concerns raised was the imperative for stronger regulation and accreditation of mental health professionals. Dr. Wan Rizal (PAP-Jalan Besar), initiating the discussion as a member of the GPC for Health, stressed the need for oversight and accreditation across different mental health tiers to ensure quality care provision.
Echoing these sentiments, Ms. He Ting Ru (WP-Sengkang) advocated for the establishment of a regulating body in collaboration with organizations like the Singapore Association for Counselling and the Singapore Psychological Society. Such a body would guarantee a universal standard of care and ethical practice in mental health services, she proposed.
Furthermore, MPs highlighted the pressing need for enhanced insurance coverage for mental health conditions. Dr. Tan Wu Meng (PAP-Jurong) emphasized the anxiety faced by individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions regarding insurance denial, calling for reforms in the private insurance sector to address this issue.
The discussions in Parliament shed light on the multifaceted challenges surrounding mental health and underscored the critical need for comprehensive strategies and policy reforms to address them effectively.