The Ecosystem of Community Mental Health in Singapore

Community psychiatry focuses on the delivery of a coordinated programme of mental healthcare to a specified population. Mental illness is prevalent and a significant cause of morbidity in Singapore. In line with Singapore’s drive toward right siting of care, community psychiatry will play a pivotal role in providing timely access to effective and affordable mental healthcare in the community. This paper provides an overview of the community mental health ecosystem and range of services that seek to integrate mental and physical healthcare with social and community support in Singapore. We discuss systemic challenges such as financing issues and patient confidentiality in relation to the important role primary care physicians play in enhancing community mental health. Finally, we propose solutions and future directions to develop an effective and sustainable ecosystem for community mental health in Singapore.