Number of Students Admitted to Institute of Mental Health or Other Public Hospitals in Last Three Years

3 Ms Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Health in each of last three years, how many students were admitted to the Institute of Mental Health or other public hospitals for (i) mental health conditions and (ii) attempted suicides.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Over the past three years, the number of children aged 7 to 18 years old¹ admitted into public hospitals² for mental health conditions³ was approximately 569 in 2016, 640 in 2017 and 607 in 2018.⁴ Hospitals currently do not track whether an admission is due to attempted suicide. Based on records from the Ministry of Home Affairs, from 2017 to 2019, an average of 1,204 cases of attempted suicide was reported each year.⁵

A whole of society approach would be key in supporting youths with mental healthcare needs as the Ministry of Health continues to work with health and social agencies to ensure that we provide timely and holistic care.