Singapore's first regional community based mental health programme launched

Singapore's first regional mental health network was launched for the northern region of Singapore this morning. 

Called Temasek Cares-iCommunity@North programme, it will provide integrated and community-based care and support to the elderly with mental conditions, and their caregivers.
Residents in the North, including those living in Admiralty, Marsiling, Sembawang, Woodlands and Yishun, will be able to benefit from services under this programme. 

It's the first partnership between Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Thye Hua Kuan Moral Charities, O'Joy services and the Agency for Integrated Care in providing community based healthcare. 

The programme comprises a Community Resource, Engagement and Support Team (CREST), piloted by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities, and a Community Intervention Team (COMIT), piloted by O'Joy Care Services. 

CREST focuses on outreach and education, identifies the elderly with dementia and other mental conditions, and connects them to the appropriate care providers for treatment. 

COMIT primarily provides counselling therapy, customising personal intervention plans for clients and their caregivers, covering counselling, coping strategies and education on managing dementia and its related issues. 

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), through its dementia team, works closely with CREST and COMIT on patient referrals. 

The KTPH team also provides clinical expertise and support, and trains the CREST and COMIT teams in caring for the elderly with mental conditions while they age-in-place.