Proposal for MOH and MOE to Co-curate Mental Health-related Modules in Institutes of Higher Learning

NOTICE PAPER NO. 801

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 3 NOVEMBER 2021

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Wan Rizal

MP for Jalan Besar GRC

Question No. 1305

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will work with the Ministry of Education to co-curate mental health-related modules in institutes of higher learning so that more mental health professionals can be produced to support our national mental health competency framework.

Answer

One of the recommendations of the COVID-19 Mental Wellness Taskforce (CoMWT) is to develop a National Mental Health Competency Training Framework, to align existing mental health trainings towards a common set of training standards and competencies expected of professionals and para-professionals who support persons with mental health conditions.

To implement this recommendation, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Education, and the Institute of Mental Health are developing the framework to guide mental health capability building for organisations across different sectors. Training providers such as Institutes of Higher Learning and Social Service Institute, may also develop mental health-related modules that are aligned to the training framework. More details on the framework will be provided when ready.