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Strengthen regulation of allied mental health practitioners in Singapore

With Covid-19 becoming a part of our new normal, greater attention has been given to dealing with its potential impact on the mental health of our nation.

There is little in the way of preventing a layperson from portraying himself or herself as a psychological or mental health therapy provider, says the writer.

There is little in the way of preventing a layperson from portraying himself or herself as a psychological or mental health therapy provider, says the writer.

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Jonathan Kuek Han Loong

With Covid-19 becoming a part of our new normal, greater attention has been given to dealing with its potential impact on the mental health of our nation.

A recent Voices letter also discussed the need for a more significant cultural shift that emphasises increased spending and focus on issues relevant to mental well-being.

But we must also be cautious when doing so, to ensure that services or initiatives created are evidence-based, ethical and impactful.

Doing so requires greater involvement at the policy level to ensure accountability to potential users of these services or initiatives.

Perhaps it is also opportune to discuss how all psychological and mental health interventions can be better regulated and governed.

Presently, there does not appear to be any regulation or policy in Singapore that can prevent a layperson from portraying himself or herself as an allied mental health practitioner, such as a psychological or mental health therapy provider.

This may provide well-intentioned but misinformed individuals with an avenue to circumvent years of proper training and education, and to begin offering psychological and mental health therapy services should people wish to engage them.

Coupled with the fact that not everyone is well-versed in the range of possible psychological therapies and services available, there is genuine potential for subpar services to be provided.

Also, people trust psychology and mental health professionals to be well-trained and adequately certified to carry out the services they market. But there exists a need for accountability should anything go wrong. 

At present, most psychological and mental health therapy service providers in Singapore are self-regulated and uphold high standards of practice, particularly individuals registered with the Singapore Psychological Society and the Singapore Association for Counselling.

These standards are upheld by the requirement for continuous education and training to maintain their registered status.

Yet these societies are limited by their lack of disciplinary powers.

They are unable to oversee their respective sectors because of their inability to mete out disciplinary action to people who ignore guidelines and practise inappropriately.

I hope the Allied Health Professions Act can be expanded to include psychological and mental health therapy practitioners, who are not presently regulated.

Right now, only occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech-language therapists, diagnostic radiographers and radiation therapists are covered under the Act.

This inclusion will allow the public to understand more clearly the scope of work of allied mental health practitioners, their required qualifications, protected titles and services, relevant disciplinary procedures, avenues for recourse, and the relevant bodies overseeing the psychological sector.

No policy can protect against substandard services, but it is the least the field of psychology can do to ensure a minimal level of accountability to the people they serve.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Jonathan Kuek Han Loong is a doctoral candidate and mental health researcher at the University of Sydney. He specialises in recovery approaches to the management and understanding of mental health conditions. His research is based in Singapore. The views expressed are his own.

Have views on this issue or a news topic you care about? Send your letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.

Related topics

psychology mental health therapy Allied Health Professions Act

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