Mental health association to launch mobile outreach team in July

The Singapore Association of Mental Health (SAMH) will launch a mobile outreach team in July that will conduct house visits to members of the public with mental health concerns.

The measure was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean at the annual SAMH charity dinner held on Friday at Resorts World Convention Centre. In his address, he repeatedly emphasised the need to "foster a more inclusive society".

"By working together, the sum of our collective efforts is larger than what we could each do on our own," Mr Teo said. "It is important to encourage people to seek help early through education, and to reduce discrimination against those with mental illness."

Mr Teo also highlighted the achievements of SAMH in recent years. The Creative Hub at Goodman Arts Centre, which promotes mental health recovery through expressive arts such as music and dance, attracted 1,558 people in 2012. The facility opened in October 2011. Some 460 youth and their families also benefited from the YouthReach Centre, a specialised community mental health service for children and youth, since it started in August 2006.

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