Update on Review of Parental Consent Requirements for Children and Young People Accessing Mental Health Support

Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether the Ministry can provide an update regarding the study of the requirement for parental consent for children and young people below the age of 18 or 21 to access mental health support.

The Ministry of Health has developed draft guidelines for a tiered approach, which includes the provision for young people to obtain basic and preventive care without parental consent. We have sought input from parents, young people and service providers through focus group discussions, and are consulting more stakeholders including professional bodies in the coming months. We will provide further updates later this year.