National Mental Health Blueprint is announced

The National Mental Health Blueprint (NMHB) is a 5-year plan that aims to strengthen the emotional resilience and mental well-being of Singaporeans to reduce the incidence and impact of mental health problems.^[1]

The blueprint was the collective effort of medical and mental health professionals, social workers, counsellors as well as policymakers from various government agencies and medical institutions.^[2] It stressed the importance of public education and holistic, affordable community-based care for the early detection and treatment of mental health problems.^[3]

To that end, the government announced on 23 September 2007 the allocation of $88 million to be spent over the following five years in four strategic areas outlined in the blueprint. These areas were to: raise awareness about mental health through public education and outreach; integrate specialist mental health care with primary care and community services; boost manpower capabilities in mental health care; and improve outcomes and treatments through mental health research.^[4]

Key initiatives resulting from the NMHB include collaboration between mental health professionals with community partners, such as school counsellors, general practitioners (GPs) and social workers; to deliver mental wellness promotion programmes and mental health services targeting school-going children, youths, working adults and the elderly;^[5] a scheme to sponsor post-graduate training and skills upgrading for allied health professionals and nurses in clinical psychology, occupational therapy and other mental health areas;^[6] the training of family physicians in mental healthcare;^[7] and a national mental health survey to find out the prevalence of mental illnesses in the adult population in Singapore.^[8]

The blueprint signaled the beginning of a policy shift from an institution-based model of mental health care to a community-based one.^[9]

References
1. Singapore. Ministry of Health. (2010). Healthy minds, healthy communities: National Mental Health Blueprint, Singapore 2007–2012. (p. 4). Singapore: Ministry of Health. Call no.: RSING 362.2095957 HEA
2. Singapore. Ministry of Health, 2010, p. 3.
3. Singapore. Ministry of Health, 2010, p. 4.
4. Singapore. Ministry of Health, 2010, pp. 5, 7, 11, 25, 29; Ministry of Health, Singapore. (2007, September 23). Strategic roadmap to build up a mentally resilient society [Press release]. Retrieved December 23, 2015, from Ministry of Health website: https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/pressRoomItemRelease/2007/strategic_roadmap_to_build_up_a_mentally_resilient_society.html
5. Singapore. Ministry of Health, 2010, pp. 8–9, 11–16.
6. Singapore. Ministry of Health, 2010, p. 26.
7. Singapore. Ministry of Health, 2010, p. 27.
8. Singapore. Ministry of Health, 2010, p. 29.
9. Singapore. Ministry of Health, 2010, p. 30.