According to statistics from IMH, 134 children aged 18 and below were admitted to IMH's children's ward last year. This is almost double the figure in 1999.

Among those admitted last year, the most common mental disorder was situational reaction, where a person has abnormal reactions to a certain situation, such as parents' divorce. This is followed by depression, behavioural problems and psychosis.

Children with such severe mental disorders are admitted to allow for close observation, intensive medical treatment and to provide relief to strained family ties. Most of them stay for about two weeks for medical treatment and counselling before they are allowed to leave.

Ali (not his real name), a 13-year-old boy, was admitted last September after he was diagnosed with acute psychosis. He was discharged after 35 days but is now still on medication and is required to go for monthly outpatient treatment.

Said his mother, a 51-year-old nurse: "Nowadays, children face a lot of stress. Many parents have high expectations of their children and put undue stress on them. I felt upset that my child had this problem.

"But as a nurse I'm more open-minded and know that it can be treated."

Dr Daniel Fung, the deputy chief of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at IMH, said the increase in numbers did not indicate that there were more children with mental disorders.

He attributed the jump to the de-stigmatisation of mental illnesses.

A Health Promotion Board and IMH initiative called the "Mind Your Mind" programme also helped to increase awareness. Launched in 2001, it promotes mental wellness and highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of major mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.

Dr Fung said: "Previously, many parents associated mental illnesses with spirits … But with increased awareness, younger parents are more willing to admit their children into IMH for treatment."

With more patients seeking treatment at IMH, the children's ward was upgraded recently to provide better services.

IMH is currently the only hospital in Singapore with an inpatient ward designed to treat and care for young patients, up to the age of 18, with mental health disorders.

Its children's ward, now known as the Child Guidance Clinic (CGC) Sunrise Wing, was officially opened yesterday after undergoing a $300,000 facelift.

The new ward now boasts bright mural decorations and an annexed outdoor rehabilitation area to give patients more space to exercise.

The ward has also been reconfigured to allow for phased recovery, where patients in similar recovery phases are segregated and cared for as distinct groups. They move from one phase to another as they recover.

IMH will also introduce ward-based educational intervention to ensure inpatients — and outpatients who are not ready to return to school — can keep up with their school work. IMH intends to hire a specialist teacher by the end of the year.

                                                      Home