Why ramping up mental health services isn’t just a numbers game

April 19, 2026

Dear readers,

Senior counsellor Roxanne Koh, at a community-based social service agency, has seen firsthand how demand for mental healthcare in Singapore has grown more complex.

Clients often present with overlapping challenges — from mental health conditions to caregiving stress, financial difficulties, and social isolation — requiring not just counselling but also coordination across families, social services, and healthcare providers.

Amid rising demand, Singapore is taking steps to expand mental health services. The Ministry of Health (MOH) plans to grow the workforce, including increasing the number of public-sector psychiatrists and psychologists, while local universities roll out new and accelerated training pathways.

But scaling up care is not as straightforward. Clinical placements are limited, and supervising trainees places added strain on senior clinicians who are already stretched. Broader structural pressures, including high operating costs and limited insurance coverage, also still remain.

Taken together, these challenges highlight a deeper issue: expanding mental healthcare is not just about numbers, but about building a system that can grow sustainably without compromising quality. Read more in this weekend’s Big Read.

Yours faithfully,

Yasmine Yahya
Deputy Chief Editor, CNA Digital (TODAY, Lifestyle & Luxury)

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