PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

NOTICE PAPER NO. 833

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 07 MAY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Ng Shi Xuan

MP for Sembawang GRC

Question No. 1512

To ask 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.

Answer

1 MOH 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.