THREE years ago, when an Ulu Pandan resident approached People's Action Party activist Tin Pei Ling claiming to be Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's daughter, she knew something was amiss.

The psychology graduate recognised the resident's behaviour and claim as a symptom of schizophrenia, and sought help for her.

The incident also showed Ms Tin, 25, that it was important for branch volunteers to be aware of mental health issues. She soon organised a workshop on it.

Over at the Paya Lebar branch, a one-stop centre has been in operation since 2007 so residents can seek assistance on any given weekday instead of having to wait for the weekly meet-the-people sessions.

Workshops where social workers advise members on how to handle difficult cases have also been held, says branch secretary Alan Ang, who works closely with the community development councils (CDCs) and family service centres.

Such fresh and innovative approaches by branches are necessary to meet the varied and increasingly complex needs of residents, party chairman Lim Boon Heng noted on Saturday night.

Read the full report in The Sunday Times.