Two new wards at IMH for patients with mood disorders, early psychosis

SINGAPORE — The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) officially opened two specialist wards yesterday to cater to the treatment and recovery for patients with mood disorders and early psychosis.

Those who suffer from major depressive disorders and bipolar disorder will be housed in the 40-bed Mood Disorders Unit (MDU) ward, while the 20-bed Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) ward is equipped to help patients with psychosis manage symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.

Both wards — redesigned from two existing wards — cost S$3 million to build, and have already begun operations. The MDU ward was opened last August, while the EPIP ward has been operational since this February.

Previously, the patients receiving care stayed together in dormitory-style wards.

Dr Chua Hong Choon, chief executive officer of the IMH, said: “Over time, with the advent of new therapies and clinical practices, we realised that our ward setting can be optimised and made more therapeutic, especially for patients with mood disorders and early psychosis.

“For them, being in the same ward with patients who have other mental health conditions and who may be severely ill or disturbed is not ideal. This is particularly so for patients with early psychosis as it is usually the first admission for them.”

In 2015, MDU saw about 600 patients with complex mood disorders and EPIP saw about 760 patients with early psychosis.

During the design phase for the wards, IMH conducted patient focus groups to get feedback on how to best design the wards, based on patients’ experience during earlier stays at the hospital.

For example, a night lounge was included in the refurbished wards, so that patients who have difficulty falling asleep at night may pass the time reading.

From the feedback, both wards were given designated rooms for therapy activities, which allows IMH to introduce more structured and customised programmes for patients.

A new open-concept layout for the wards also allows sunlight in, which create a bright and airy vibe, to help reduce agitation among patients.

Patients at the MDU ward get to join therapy groups to learn how to cope with emotions by developing healthier thinking patterns and developing skills to navigate interpersonal relationships.

For those at the EPIP ward, they may join activity groups run by psychologists, and exercises conducted by nurses, occupational therapists and volunteers.

Patients who have recovered may return as peer support specialists to co-facilitate therapy groups and provide support for patients. CHANNEL NEWSASIA