• High demand: Mental health now tops health concerns in Singapore, surpassing cancer and COVID-19.
• New regional hub: MHIN Asia Hub, based in Singapore, aims to share innovative resources and ideas to promote mental health support across Asia.

SINGAPORE, 17 February 2025 – In a significant advancement for mental health care, the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute, in collaboration with the Mental Health Innovation Network (MHIN), unveiled today the MHIN Asia Hub. This milestone event, a cornerstone of the inaugural Global Mental Health in Asia Symposium, marks a major step in addressing mental health challenges across the continent.

The Symposium, which takes place from 17 to 19 February and sees the convergence in Singapore of more than 15 global and regional health leaders, was opened by Guest-of Honour Dr Daniel Fung, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health.

Expanding a global network to Asia

The MHIN, initiated by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2013, extends its reach into Asia, having established hubs in Africa, and Latin America and Caribbean. Recognising the urgent need for localised solutions in a region that is home to more than half the world’s population, the MHIN Asia Hub, operating under the auspices of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute, aims to foster a robust exchange of ideas and resources, enhancing regional mental health strategies. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing it, the MHIN Asia hub already counts more than 2,000 members.

“Asia is home to over half the world’s population, yet mental health remains overlooked in many countries across the region. The MHIN Asia Hub will foster regional collaboration, ensuring mental health solutions receive the attention they deserve and are locally relevant,” said Dr Petra Gronholm, MHIN Principal Investigator, and Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Mental health gains urgency in Singapore and beyond

According to the Ipsos Global Health Service Monitor 2023⁽¹⁾, mental health is now the top health concern for people in Singapore and across 31 countries, surpa...