Singapore to Add 500 Acute Psychiatric Beds by 2040 Amid Rising Mental Health Needs

Singapore will expand its mental healthcare capacity significantly, adding 500 new acute psychiatric beds by 2040 to meet growing mental health needs driven by population ageing and rising stress-related conditions. The initiative, announced by Senior Minister of State for Health Dr Koh Poh Koon, aims to make psychiatric care more accessible across all healthcare clusters and closer to patients’ homes.

Acute psychiatric beds are used for short-term inpatient treatment of individuals experiencing severe mental health crises — including psychosis, suicidal thoughts, or acute behavioural disturbances — requiring constant supervision and intensive care.

Currently, inpatient psychiatric care is available at six of Singapore’s eleven public hospitals, including the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), National University Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, and Sengkang General Hospital. IMH remains the national referral centre for complex psychiatric conditions, while newer facilities like Alexandra Hospital (AH) will take on more short-term acute cases as part of the upcoming expansion.

As of early 2024, Singapore had nearly 1,000 acute psychiatric beds, with IMH alone housing over 800. By 2030, this number is projected to rise to about 1,070, including 70 new beds at the redeveloped AH. The 2040 target will push total capacity further to 1,500 acute beds, marking one of the largest expansions of mental health infrastructure in Singapore’s history.

Dr Koh emphasized that this effort is part of a broader National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy, launched in 2023, which aims to strengthen mental health services, reduce stigma, and integrate care into communities. He noted that while hospitals will continue to manage complex cases, Singapore’s goal is also to build capacity within polyclinics, general practitioners, schools, and workplaces to provide earlier intervention and community-based support.

Recent studies underscore the urgency. An IMH study in 2024 found that one in three young Singaporeans aged 15 to 35 reported severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. Among seniors, the number of people with dementia grew from about 52,000 in 2013 to 74,000 in 2023, and is projected to rise further as the population ages.

To meet these challenges, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is also ramping up manpower. By 2030, Singapore aims for a 30% increase in psychiatrists and a 40% rise in healthcare workers trained in psychology. Partnerships with universities are already underway, including a new Master of Psychology (Clinical) programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, set to welcome its first cohort in 2026.

Psychiatrist Dr Jared Ng from Connections MindHealth described the expansion as “a meaningful step,” noting that having psychiatric beds within general hospitals enhances care coordination for patients with both mental and physical health needs, such as dementia or self-harm injuries. It also reduces stigma by normalizing mental health treatment within mainstream healthcare.

Dr Koh, who chairs the Steering Committee for Mental Health and Well-being, said the plan reflects Singapore’s tiered model of care — from community-level support to specialist intervention — and ensures resources are ready for rising demand. “We anticipate a higher need for dementia care and acute psychiatric support as our population ages,” he said.

With these new facilities and workforce expansions, Singapore aims to create a more inclusive, responsive, and well-resourced mental health system — one where every patient, regardless of condition, receives timely and dignified care.