Starting 1 July 2025, information you share during your CHAT mental health assessment will be recorded in a secure clinical records system called the Next Generation Electronic Medical Record (NGEMR).
Your record will be accessible only to authorised CHAT mental health professionals and used to support your care. It will not be shared with other hospitals, clinics or healthcare providers unless:
- You agree to a referral, or
- You decide to receive further treatment at a public mental health service (including the Institute of Mental Health).
This is not the same as having a nationwide medical record. Your CHAT notes will only be added to the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) if you register for ongoing care with a public healthcare provider after your CHAT mental health assessment.
You are not considered a hospital patient just by attending a CHAT mental health assessment.
How is my personal data handled by CHAT?
To support you better and link you to the right services, CHAT will need to collect some personal information – including your full name, NRIC and what you share during your mental health assessment with us at CHAT.
These information is stored securely in the Next Generation Electronic Medical Record (NGEMR) system, and managed in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2012.
Your information will be used for purposes such as:
- Registering and documenting your CHAT mental health assessment
- Consulting with other healthcare providers involved in your care (with your knowledge)
- Referring you to suitable services in the hospital or community, if needed
Your CHAT mental health assessment notes cannot be accessed by anyone outside your care team at CHAT, unless they are involved directly in your care.
Employers and insurance companies cannot access your records without your written consent, as protected under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012.
If you have any concerns, you can talk to your CHAT Youth Support Worker. You can also ask to:
- View or correct your personal data
- Withdraw your consent at any time
A copy of CHAT Client Consent Form is available here
The NHG Client Charter is available at NHG Client Charter - IMH | Institute of Mental Health
If you have any feedback, please contact our Patient Relations Office at 1800-386-4541 from Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am to 5.00pm or feedback online at https://www.imh.com.sg/Pages/Feedback
If I visit a psychiatrist, will it be stored in my medical records?
Yes, if the psychiatrist’s clinic/institution participates in the National Electronic Health Records System (NEHR)*, there will be records of your visits in this system.
NEHR is a secure national system that is accessible across hospitals and clinics in Singapore. It helps doctors involved in your care see important medical history when needed – such as diagnoses and medications. However, only healthcare professionals directly involved in your treatment can access your records. Detailed notes from your consultation (like what you discussed with the psychiatrist) are not shared with others, unless they are part of the same treatment team in the same hospital.+
Employers and insurance companies cannot access your medical records without your written consent, as protected under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
*See Institutions Participating in the National Electronic Health Records System (NEHR) for full list of participating private and public institutions.
+ See Frequently Asked Questions (ihis.com.sg) for fuller details about the NEHR, including types of data shared.
Do I need to declare my mental health records to my school/employer?
You do not need to declare your records to your school/employer, and neither can they access you mental health records without your signed consent, as dictated by the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). You may only need to declare your mental health history to your potential employer if it is a job-related requirement. Please refer to
TAFEP’s website for more information.
Some individuals might choose to declare their mental health history for a variety of reasons. Declaring your mental health history can create the opportunity for open discussion with the organisation and/or the management, allowing you and the organisation to see if you would be a good fit. Your management might also be better able to allocate tasks to you that leverage on your abilities, and better understand how they can support you at work.
At the end of the day, if you find yourself struggling with your mental health, it is important to ensure that you seek help early. With timely and appropriate mental health support or treatment, people can pursue school, work, and other activities while leading fulfilling lives.
Will I be able to obtain a legal medical memo after the Mental Health Check (MHC)?
CHAT is not able to provide legal or official medical memos. These can only be issued by licensed medical doctors, such as General Practitioners (GPs) or Psychiatrists.
If you need a medical memo about your mental health – for school, work or other formal reasons – you may wish to:
- See a GP at a polyclinic or private clinic, or
- Book an appointment with a psychiatrist at a public or private hospital
CHAT offers confidential mental health assessments and support, but we are not a medical clinic, and do not issue documents for legal or certification purposes.
