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The Research Unit in the Child Guidance Clinic (CGC) was established in 2008. One of its first major research project was to support a large scale randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of Omega-3 essential fatty acids with social skills training for children and adolescents with anger and aggression problems. This was funded by an Institutional Research Grant (IRG) from the National Medical Research Council (NMRC). Another concurrent study was a randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study was also funded by an IRG from the NMRC.

With a multidisciplinary team of child psychiatrists, allied health specialists, and research staff, this Research Unit has expanded, since its inception, to offer expertise to a number of research studies within the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Our research efforts aim to examine the influence of genes and brain mechanisms on behaviour, risk and protective factors of psychopathology, as well as evidence-based assessments and treatments of paediatric psychiatric conditions.

The Research Unit believes that modern clinical care goes hand in hand with research. We want only the best, most empirically robust care for the children we see in the clinic by keeping abreast of the most modern and systematic intervention approaches for managing children with behavioural problems. Current research topics include mental health literacy in youths, suicide-related behaviours and non-suicidal self-injury, studies exploring etiologies in neurodevelopmental disorders as well as digital interventions for anger management and brain computer interface technology to address various conditions such as ADHD and anxiety. The Research Unit works closely with important stakeholders such as the various Ministries as well as overseas academic institutions to deliver evidence-based recommendations for interventions and services. To date, we have established research collaborations with various local and foreign institutions, including National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, A*Star, DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School, and the University of Pennsylvania.

​Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in children and adolescents, with the global prevalence rate estimated at 6.5%. Current treatment guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy as primary interventions. As an alternative approach, a neuro-technological intervention has been developed locally for anxiety disorders. This programme combines educational components on anxiety disorders and mindfulness with a virtual reality (VR) game designed to enhance mindful regulation of anxiety.

This study aims to:

  • Assess the preliminary feasibility of implementing this intervention for adolescents experiencing anxiety disorders

Principal Investigator

  • Dr Lim Choon Guan, Institute of Mental Health 

Collaborators:

Nanyang Technological University
Duke-NUS Medical School​


The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used international screening tool for depression. It closely corresponds to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for major and minor depression, allows for the grading of severity of depression, and has demonstrated good validity in various populations worldwide, including amongst neurotypical adolescents.

This study aims to:

  • Examine the validity of the PHQ-9 amongst the adolescent clinical population in Singapore
  • Investigate the sensitivity of the PHQ-9 in screening for depression as a comorbidity 

Principal Investigator

  • Dr Goh Tze Jui, Institute of Mental Health

​Parental mental health literacy can influence help-seeking for their children's mental health. While an estimated 10% of children experience mental health problems, fewer than a third of these children formally seek help from mental health professionals. Understanding the role of parents' knowledge of mental disorders, attitudes towards help-seeking, knowledge of available resources, and possible barriers is important in closing the gap in accessing services for children facing mental health challenges in Singapore.

This study aims to:

  • Investigate how parents' mental health literacy and other factors influence their seeking help for their children from mental health professionals 

Principal Investigator

  • Dr Lim Choon Guan, Institute of Mental Health

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that share a high comorbidity. They are often associated with deficits in cognitive processing and executive functioning, including domains such as response inhibition, planning, cognitive flexibility, and sustained attention. In some aspects, the attentional deficits associated with ADHD are similar to those found in ASD. As such, it would be helpful to observe the attentional mechanisms distinguishing ASD and/or ADHD from neurotypical controls.

This study aims to:

  • Investigate the distinct information processing patterns among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD and ADHD, and neurotypical controls via computerised attentional tasks
  • Contribute to the understanding of ASD and/or ADHD and improve the accuracy of the diagnostic processes via an objective approach 

Principal Investigator

  • Dr Goh Tze Jui, Institute of Mental Health

Collaborators:
Yale-NUS


Suicide ranks as the second leading cause of mortality in young people aged between 15 and 29 years worldwide. Notably, non-fatal self-harm occurs at a significantly higher frequency, serving as a potent indicator of underlying distress and vulnerability. Emerging literature has suggested an association between exposure to chronic adverse interpersonal stress during early development (e.g. childhood maltreatment) and self-harm, where increased susceptibility to suicidal ideation is identified. Comprehensive risk assessment frameworks and targeted interventions for vulnerable youth populations grappling with self-harm and suicidal tendencies are important.

This study aims to:

  • ​Investigate the impact of childhood maltreatment on the brain development among youths engaging in self-harm.
  • Examine how childhood maltreatment influences coping mechanisms among youths who self-harm.
Principal Investigator
  • Dr Lena Lim, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences
  • Dr Ong Say How, Institute of Mental Health

​The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant economic, health, and psychosocial impacts on the general population. While the increase in psychological stress during the pandemic is well-documented, the extent of impact that leads to clinical impairment remains unknown. Examining clinical cases presenting at the Child Guidance Clinic (CGC), the psychiatric outpatient service at a tertiary mental health institution of Singapore, will provide insight into the nature and severity of cases receiving help at CGC during the pandemic and inform response strategies for future situations.

This study aims to:

  • Examine the differences in the presentation of child and adolescent patients seen at the CGC, Institute of Mental Health, across the COVID-19 pandemic period
  • Provide information to inform response strategies in future situations, as well as highlight intervention approaches to be employed during times of crisis 

Principal Investigator

  • Dr Goh Tze Jui, Institute of Mental Health

​There has been a spike in the total number of suicides in Singapore in recent years, with 8.54 suicides per 100,000 reported in 2016 Statistics on Registration of Births and Deaths released by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (Straits Times, 2017). The rates continued into 2017 and 2018. Suicide has been identified as the leading cause of death for individuals aged between 10 and 29 in Singapore, raising vital concerns regarding the enhancement and preservation of the wellbeing of Singaporean youth (Samaritans of Singapore, 2016). The Inter-Ministry Suicide Research Workgroup was therefore established to evaluate the trends of suicide in youths in Singapore and to develop an intervention plan to mitigate the increasing rates. The first step towards intervention is to examine and update current understanding regarding the trends and factors related to youth suicide-related behaviour. As part of the workgroup's research efforts, IMH is conducting a project to:

  1. Identify current trends in suicide completers, including profiles, stressors, and coping mechanisms based on local retrospective data of completed suicide cases obtained from coroners' reports
  2. Understand the risk factors associated with suicide attempts and completion of a suicide act
  3. Uncover potential gaps in services to prevent the completion of a suicide act and identify possible avenues for intervention and prevention 

Principal Investigator

  • Dr Goh Tze Jui, Institute of Mental Health

​This study is part of an ongoing research project on well-being and potential problems among the youth. It seeks to answer questions related to emotions, behaviours, and well-being of the youth, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The responses will greatly assist in developing future strategies for adolescents experiencing related issues. It involves a one-time online survey lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes and consisting of questions related to physical and mental health, bullying, perceptions of schools, self-harming behaviour, and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aims to:

  • Answer questions related to physical and mental health, bullying, perceptions of schools, self-harming behaviour, and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic 

Principal Investigator

  • Dr Ong Say How, Institute of Mental Health

​In Singapore, mental health disorders were the largest contributor to YLDs (Years Lost to Disability) in 2017. The Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) estimated that the societal cost of the six most common mental health disorders is at SGD1.7 billion per year (Subramaniam et al., 2020). Data on the prevalence of mental health issues in children aged 18 and below is not available in Singapore, thus limiting our ability to provide effective services across the population. The Building Resilience And InterVEntion (BRAVE) study is an important nationwide study give us better insight and understanding in the prevention and management of child and adolescent mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Singapore. It involves an online mental health screening questionnaire, in-person psychological assessments, visits with a clinician, as well as referrals for intervention where appropriate.

This study aims to:

  • Establish the prevalence rates of various mental health conditions in children and adolescents born between 2007 and 2016
  • Identify risk and protective factors as well as at-risk groups for early intervention 

Principal Investigator

  • Dr Lim Choon Guan, Institute of Mental Health

​This project, funded by National Healthcare Group Translational Research Programme Funding, brings together researchers and clinicians from the Department of Developmental Psychiatry, IMH, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, the Institute of Human Development and Potential, A*STAR, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, the National Council of Social Services, and National University of Singapore. The Deep Dive study will adopt a Precision Psychiatry approach to review the presentation and progression of depression in children and adolescents. Specifically, it will examine genetic and biological markers in children and adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The study aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of biological markers in depression associated with specific profiles of symptomology and prognosis, and enable the development of optimal treatment pathways to deliver tailored and cost-effective interventions for MDD.

Principal Investigator

  • ​Dr Goh Tze Jui, Institute of Mental Health